£5 for non-stop drinking defended

The promotion allows people to drink as much as they like, one drink at a time

A nightclub manager has denied that a drinks promotion which cost customers just £5 for five hours of unlimited alcohol could promote binge drinking.

Escapade in Newport, south Wales, had hundreds of student customers attend the event last Wednesday, which it is repeating on the same night this week.

Manager Steve Dew said customers had to return an empty glass or bottle in order to be served another drink.

Gwent Police said such events could be seen to promote binge drinking.

Mr Dew said he was not the first to organise an all-inclusive drinking night and he "definitely won't be the last".

He suggested staff were keeping an eye on customers' alcohol intake during the event, which lasted from 10pm until 3am.

"The only way you get your next drink is if you bring back your empty bottle or glass," he said.

"That enables us to make sure no one drinks to excess and if someone was seen to be drinking to excess we could put a block on it, and that was explained to them on the door."

Mr Dew also claimed the event had brought much-needed custom to both his and other nearby pubs and clubs on a night which was usually quiet, adding there had been no trouble reported inside or outside the 1,600-capacity venue.

"The town benefited by bringing 600 people into the town," said Mr Dew.

"If this started going sour on a Wednesday night I would pull it."

Alcohol and drug support agency Prism condemned the promotion and urged local people to complain so the local authority could reconsider its licensing of such an event.

We would discourage such drinks promotions as they could be seen to be promoting irresponsible binge drinking Insp Rod Grindley

Director Melanie Perry said: "I think it's wholly irresponsible on the part of the manager of Escapade.

'Excessive drinking'

"He is clearly promoting excessive drinking through this practice.

"There may not have been any trouble last week but that's not to say that there won't be trouble in the future.

"I would urge people in the locality to make objections to this so that his licence can be reconsidered and if necessary revoked."

Insp Rod Grindley from Gwent Police said: "We are in discussion with the licence trade and are aware of the situation.

"We would discourage such drinks promotions as they could be seen to be promoting irresponsible binge drinking.

"We will monitor the situation and if there are any associated issues with crime and disorder if necessary we will take action against individuals or the licensed premises as appropriate."