A VISIT to the theatre could become more leisurely if it is allowed to serve drinks to people in their seats.

The Theatre Royal, in New Road, Brighton, wants to provide a seat-side service at selected shows so people will no longer have to leave the auditorium to buy alcoholic drinks during the interval.

The application to vary the licence has been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council and a decision will be made at a licensing panel meeting on October 31.

The theatre is asking to sell alcohol from trays to people attending ticketed events within the auditorium area during the 30-minute period before the show starts and the intervals.

It also wants a licence to sell alcohol which can be drunk off the premises in an area outside the theatre where tables and chairs will be provided.

The application for selling alcohol to people wishing to drink outside has received objections as it is in the city’s cumulative impact area.

A spokeswoman for the theatre, which is part of the Ambassador Theatre Group, said it was following in the footsteps of its West End venues recently granted a licence by Westminster City Council to provide the seat-side service.