Nexum defends £5 all-you-can-drink deal

Nexum Leisure has defended its £5 all-you-can-drink offer at its Escapade club in Newport, claiming it is merely responding to the discount market created by others.

Escapade ran the controversial deal last Wednesday.

Customers pay £5 to enter and are given a glass. They can only be served one drink at a time and are only served again if they return with their glass. Nexum said it does not include large spirit measures, or bottles of wine or champagne in the offer and that staff are trained not to serve intoxicated customers.

Nexum chief executive Paul Kinsey said: "We do not create the discounting market but merely respond to it.

"Our venues provide a controlled environment where alcohol consumption can be monitored and regulated. Our bar staff are trained to not serve people who are, or appear to be, intoxicated and our security staff keep a watchful eye over customers at all times.

"This all-inclusive session is carefully risk-assessed and the venue uses polycarbonate glasses. Because the quality entertainment we provide is the primary reason for people visiting the venue, customers spend a considerable amount of time on the dance-floor where they will, of course, not be drinking.

"Even in this apparently low-priced session, the average price per drink is still considerably higher than the price which can be achieved for alcoholic beverages in supermarkets.

"Industry pressure was previously put on the Home Office and the Department of Culture Meida and Sport to introduce a minimum pricing policy for drinks, but the proposal was turned down. Nexum would be happy to accept and adhere to such a policy were it to be introduced."

Kinsey added that the deal had been received "positively" and that police considered Escapade "to be the best-managed late-night business in the town".