Nightclub gets rap over cheap drinks offer

11:00am Thursday 28th August 2008

A NIGHTCLUB has been labelled as “cynical and irresponsible” for launching an cheap drinks promotion.

J2, in Nelson Square, Bolton, has launched a Friday night offer called “We Love 80p”, in which drinks are sold at rock-bottom prices, once clubbers have paid a £6 entry fee.

Health experts have criticised the promotion, saying it is encouraging people to drink more — but club bosses claim they are doing nothing wrong.

The chairman of Bolton Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee, Cllr Andy Morgan, said: “This is a cynical way of tapping into the binge drinking culture.

“It is clearly an attempt to get young drinkers through the door and sell them as much alcohol as possible.

“It completely undermines the alcohol strategy that the council is trying to implement to reduce binge drinking in Bolton.”

Chief Supt Dave Lea, head of Bolton police, said: “The police and licencing industry have a close working relationship. But this may just be a step too far given the current concerns over binge drinking and alcohol abuse.

“The promotion is not particularly helpful at the moment and we are in discussions to find a more appropriate way for the club to promote safe drinking.”

J2 owner Paul Roberts denied the promotion encouraged binge drinking.

He said: “We are working with the police and reviewing the promotion every week. So far, there have been no problems.

“We have given staff extra training to deal with any problems, we have additional door staff and have organised extra taxis from outside the club.

“If a customer is drunk, they will not be served. We are also providing free food inside the club.

“The 80p promotion is only for bottles of beer, alcopops and some spirits. If people want a spirit, they must pay an extra 50p for a mixer so it is really £1.30 for some drinks.”

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