MP wants meeting with nightclub bosses
Bosses of Liquid in Newbury have been criticised over claims their pricing policy sparked a night of violence
BOSSES of Newbury's Liquid nightclub have been warned to clean up their act or risk being run out of town.
Newbury MP Richard Benyon has demanded a meeting with nightclub top brass over claims that their pricing policy sparked a night of violence.
He branded a promotion which offered 80p for all drinks, all night, a “key component” of the mayhem which erupted in the early hours of Saturday, July 20.
Youths fought pitched battles with police, who struggled to contain the situation and used dogs to quell the violence.
One witness likened the scene to a war zone and added: “I've never seen anything like it.”
Earlier this month Mr Benyon wrote to parent company Luminar Leisure, expressing concern over the promotion and telling chief executive officer Simon Douglas: “I just can not see that this is in any way responsible behaviour by the company.”
The club's response did not satisfy Mr Benyon.
Mr Douglas replied: “I can assure you that Luminar does not price its drinks policy with the intent of acting irreponsibly. If we discount our drinks we have a comprehensive operating policy in place.”
He cited the club's “duty to remain competitive to our market, to maintain our business.”
This week Mr Benyon said: “I'm not happy with this response. It does not allay my fears or those of the police or (West Berkshire Council's) licensing committee.
“I have now asked for a meeting with Mr Douglas because I want to ensure he has some real understanding of the tenuous position the club is in because of what they've allowed to go on.”
He added: “The police are very hot on the drinks pricing issue having been a key component of the disturbances.”
Mr Benyon stressed, however, that individuals should take responsibility for their own actions and added: “I don't want them to have to close. The club has been very popular with a lot of young people but I'm concerned for the safety of those young people and for the reputation of the town.”
Luminar Leisure were unavailable for comment.
