A Responsible Drinking Initiative has been set up in Nottingham with the aim of moderating alcohol consumption and reducing anti-social behaviour.
As part of that initiative, breathalysers are being given to bouncers at 22 pubs and clubs in the city, aiming to help security staff identify customers who are “vulnerable” because of the amount they have consumed.
There will be no city-wide limit enforced, according to Alex Castle-Clarke, from Nottingham Crime and Drug Partnership, who told The Nottingham Post that the focus “is on identifying a problem, understanding it and responding correctly”.
“The measure will benefit the clubs more than the students as it will just make nights out more expensive for students with already tight budgets”
He stressed that the measure has been brought in for the benefit of the inebriated as well as for the general public and the proprietors of the pubs and clubs.
Owen Morris, a first year Management student disagreed, saying “the measure will benefit the clubs more than the students as it will just make nights out more expensive for students with already tight budgets”.
“Drink heavily before you come into the city centre and you may be refused entry to venues”
The aim of using a breathalyser is not only to bar someone from the club but also as an indicator that further action should be taken such as calling an ambulance or advising the person to seek help.
The Responsible Drinking Initiative is aimed to be a method of prevention and is the result of a partnership between the Crime and Drugs Partnership and Nottinghamshire police. It will bring training programs to coach security staffs in how to respond properly to customers who are too drunk to behave responsibly.
“It depends on where they draw the line. It’s likely just to put people off going to clubs”
Among the 22 venues that have volunteered to join the programme are Rock City, Squares, Bodega and The Waterfront.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire Paddy Tipping said: “Drink heavily before you come into the city centre and you may be refused entry to venues”.
Greg Wilkinson, a first year Physics student commented that it might deter students from going out.
“It depends on where they draw the line. It’s likely just to put people off going to clubs”, he said.
The manager at Rock City, Mark Smith, said that, “We are happy to be part of this initiative along with the police and other partnerships to encourage our customers to drink responsibly and make sure they enjoy their night.”
Supporters of the initiative stress that better security training will improve the capacity of venues to control events and also help those people who need further help or may have an alcohol problem.
Hannah Eves
Image: The Nottingham Post
I’m surprised Rock City want to be involved, they break a few laws already as it is