Nightclubs slated over £1 drinks
Luminar-owned nightclub Liquid and Envy offers £1.20 drinks on Fridays and Saturdays, and Atmosphere Bars & Clubs’ Life also offers £1 and £1.50 drinks on selected nights.
Vaughan Cartwright, of Long Bar, in Leicester, claims the move is affecting his business and claims the police are failing to take action.
Cartwright is especially outraged as the police have intervened in his current drinks promotion, claiming it is “irresponsible”.
He was offering a free shot with every drink, costing £2.50. The free shot consisted of vodka (23% ABV) mixed with cranberry juice and orange juice. However, police told him the offer was irresponsible, so he has been forced to change the promotion to say ‘every drink includes a Long Bar shot’.
He said: “Superclubs such as Liquid and Envy and Life, are offering cheap drinks, which means people can
go in and get drunk for a tenner.”
A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “We have advised the management of the Long Bar in Leicester that we believe offering free alcoholic shots goes against the Licensing Act’s ban on irresponsible drinks promotions — they are encouraging people to consume one drink to qualify for another drink.”
Atmosphere Bars & Clubs’ chief executive Paul Harbottle said: “Any drinks promotions we hold are with plenty of supervision, and we have a robust approach to door schemes, making use of the Challenge 21 and Challenge 25 policies.
“Leicester is very competitive when it comes to drinks promotions and there is a pressure to offer competitive prices. We have worked hard with police to ensure promotions are responsible.”
A Luminar spokesman said: “Liquid Leicester operates in a highly competitive market and the club has to remain competitive, especially in these times.
“The club’s drink policy of £1.20 for a single drink is in line with other late-night operators in the city — this offer is also linked with a significant £5 admission fee.”
