Newquay seeks advice from Oldham over disorder

Cornwall Council says it will be talking to Oldham officials for advice on dealing with alcohol-related problems, amid plans for the country's first alcohol disorder zone (ADZ) in Newquay.

A Cornwall Council spokeswoman told The Publican ​she was planning to "glean information" from Oldham, after watching Monday night's Panorama.

"We are looking at the possibility of an alcohol disorder zone in Newquay as a priority, but nothing has been decided yet, it's early days," she said.

"But we will also be talking to Oldham to see if we can learn from what they have done and develop some kind of best practice."

The Panorama programme focussed on the situation in Oldham where the council has caused controversy by reviewing the licence of all 22 bars and clubs in the town.

Oldham has not opted for an ADZ, but proposals include introducing post-office style queues at bars and a 75p a unit minimum price.

Last week the Newquay Safe group - which includes council, police and health officials - launched the LOST campaign to encourage "responsible" behaviour in the resort, which has on-going problems around alcohol-related disorder.

Posters for the campaign will appear in pubs and bars, under the taglines Lost your life, Lost your friends, Lost your dignity.

The Safe group is also considering a code of conduct for licensed venues to discourage irresponsible promotions.

Police are also writing to pubs and clubs in the area warning they face visits from plain-clothes officers if they continue with such promotions, which he says are linked to "significant increases in alcohol-related crime and disorder".

Meanwhile, companies that sell wristbands offering discounts in Newquay venues will be banned from the town from August 27.