Ban on chav-wear stamps out trouble
A Stourbridge nightclub that banned "chav wear" has seen violent crime at the venue reduced to almost zero inside seven months.
The Enteramma-owned Picture House in Hagley Road banned popular chav brands such as Burberry and Timberland as well as stripy T-shirts, hooded tops, caps and chunky gold jewellery.
"Basically there was too much trouble and we decided to ban the type of clothing associated with the gangs causing it,"said assistant manager Raelee Lindop. "We didn't want the attitude in here."
Seven months later and there has not been a single serious incidence of violent crime at the club. "We do get some complaints from customers but when we explain we are trying to cut out the trouble, people are usually fine," added Lindop.
Staff at the club have gone to great lengths to ensure that the measures do not target innocent people just looking for a good night out but who happen to be wearing the wrong attire.
"If they are wearing a chunky necklace we take it off them and give them a ticket for it just like a cloakroom," Lindop explained. "In extreme cases we have lent people T-shirts if they are the only one of a group of friends wearing a stripy T-shirt. We know full well which groups we don't want in here."
