Organised pub crawl 'recipe for disaster'
A HUGE organised pub crawl in Plymouth would be a "recipe
for disaster" according to police, students and club
-
PROMOTION: Carnage UK's website
owners.
The Herald has learned pub crawl specialist Carnage UK is
trying to recruit 2,000 city students and stage the event in
Plymouth in October.
Keen to promote "responsible" drinking behaviour pub, bar
and club owners in Plymouth have unanimously rejected the
proposed plan.
Darren Jones, president of the University of Plymouth's
Student Union, said the stigma of students binge-drinking is a
stereotypical image which the university wants to shed.
"We are 100 per cent against the event being staged in
Plymouth," he said.
"We are not saying that students shouldn't enjoy themselves
but there needs to be a level of responsibility.
"Anything we promote needs to be responsible. We do not
consider Carnage UK promotes responsible behaviour.
"We do a great deal of work within the city's community.
This has the potential to destroy that good work.
"It would be a recipe for disaster if the event was staged
in Plymouth."
Carnage UK organises student events in around 16 cities
including Leeds, Nottingham and Swansea.
The nights out usually involve up to 2,000 students dressing
up in Carnage UK T-shirts and going on a bar crawl which ends
in a visit to a large nightclub.
The company's website boasts "It's Going To Get Messy".
Mr Jones said he was also concerned at suggestions the event
could be staged in Torquay, which would involve pooling
students from Plymouth.
Russell Quelch, general manager of Oceana in Plymouth, said:
"We were approached to host the end party but we don't want
anything to do with it."
Peter Jones, chairman of Plymouth club bosses' Licensed
Leisure Association and the vice-chairman of the Licensed
Victuallers' Society, said: "We do not need the aggravation of
this event when we are trying to promote a responsible
stance.
"The bottom line is that events like this send out the wrong
message.
"We like to think we are responsible in our actions. Hosting
something like this would not help anyone.
"Plymouth just doesn't need an event like this. We don't
need the hassle and I believe it would be a recipe for disaster
if it went ahead."
Jock McIndoe, alcohol related crime reduction officer with
the city's police licensing department, said he welcomed the
stance.
"We could foresee all sorts of implications which we could
do without," he said.
"On Thursday, the licensed trade in Plymouth unanimously
rejected the event at its Clubwatch meeting.
"I think the client base and the aura of such an event would
not be advantageous to the city.
"The police are content with the decision that has been
made."
Steve Hughes, spokesman for Carnage UK, confirmed the
event's organisers are looking into bringing the event to
Plymouth.
"Initial talks have been had [about coming to Plymouth]," he
said. "We have held talks in the last 14 days.
"We are not sure at the moment. There is a big question mark
over it. We will know more by early September."
Carnage UK's website states the company is "committed" to
ensuring the safety of students.
It adds: "We have operated the Carnage UK Student Event
right across the country for almost half a decade without
incident.
"At the forefront of our mindset is student safety, and how
we set about ensuring that our procedures and working practices
contribute to a safe and enjoyable environment."
33 Comments
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by becky Hilton, Plymouth
Sunday, November 23 2008, 10:41PM
“i have to say im finding myself agreeing with molly. i don't find Plymouth unsophisticated in the slightest. i too have lived away and i value the culture 'difference' i find back in Plymouth. the university is not bad, drakes circus is not 2nd rate...award winning in fact. you know what they say.........boring people make boring lives. blame yourselves, not your city.”
by becky Hilton, Plymouth
Sunday, November 23 2008, 10:24PM
“universities all over the country have been involved in this without an issue. having worked on pub crawls previously; i cannot see the difference between the unorganised drinking chaos we always see and some organised chaos. carnage would have guides, an itinerary and would be liaising with police and establishments. surely this is an improvement from the norm?”
by Rudy, Plymouth
Wednesday, August 20 2008, 9:25PM
“Molly, how ****ing arrogant you are.”
by L, Mutley
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 12:59PM
“Molly - to you comment about Plymouth Uni being low in quality, read this quote from this years Times University guide:
'Plymouth was chosen to house no fewer than four national teaching centres: in health and social care placements; experiential learning in environmental and natural sciences; institutional partnerships; and education for sustainable development. The nine National Teaching Fellowships won by its academics are unmatched by any other university.'”
by Nev, Whitechapel
Monday, August 18 2008, 9:07PM
“Molly, I think you are Miss Anthrope trying to be respectable. You sound just as batty!”
by Suzannah, Stoke
Monday, August 18 2008, 8:42PM
“Molly, I do not impose my views on anyone, I merely air them on here - isn't that the purpose of the website, or am I mistaken? I have no pretentions whatsoever - I am not pretending to be anyone, except who I really am. Considering the amount of time you spend on this website, I am most surprised that you have room for all these fun hobbies of yours. You have obviously not experienced the delights of a cosmopolitan city like London and your tastes are vastly different from mine. Quite frankly, I find you rather pretentious, I thought I was opinionated but compared to you, I think I pale my comparison. Your arrogance is sickening. I merely state my own views and tastes.”
by Molly, Sutton
Monday, August 18 2008, 7:56PM
“Suzannah wishes to impose her own pretentions and perception of civilisation on the rest of us. It is easy to live a lively fun intelligent and tolerant existence here. We live in an inexpensive but well proportioned period home among delightful neighbours within easy walking distance of everything. We have a house full of books, music, healthy well cooked food, plenty of fine wine and other booze. we get out a lot a rarely miss a good concert or live gig. A little planning ahead means that we get to see top flight comedians, straight and experimental theatre as well as ballet and opera. We go to Argyle when they rise above useless. We sail when ever the weather permits or we can get crew. There are no good shops but Bristol and London are easily accessible. My kids and now grandchildren went to excellent local schools. I don't find Plymouth unsophisticated. it is an underprivileged comparatively poor provincial community with insufficient stimulus and impetus to improve. The University is vast, ranks low in quality but who are we to begrudge less able students from coming to make the best of their abilities and enjoy themselves. We're off out to one of several excellent real ale pubs within walking distance. life is about having fun and exploiting everything on offer as long as in doing so you do not harm others. Let the students and young people go out and get completed ratted if they want.”
by Nev, Whitechapel (living in Plymouth)
Sunday, August 17 2008, 5:15PM
“Suzannah - I gather from a previous thread of yours that you used to live in London if I am correct. Yes, it is a bit of a cultural shock coming back to Plymouth and I can see where you are coming from. The only way to get by down here is to have the kind of hobbies which enables you to meet likeminded people, otherwise you could be a bit stuck.”
by Nev, Whitechapel (living in Plymouth)
Sunday, August 17 2008, 5:13PM
“Really, how can a company with a name like "Carnage UK" be taken seriously? They are obviously just in it for the money, they don't give a toss as long as their profits are healthy. Who are they trying to kid!”
by Rachael, Mountbatten
Sunday, August 17 2008, 3:52PM
“Molly. Have you nothing better to do than to wait for Suzannah to elaborate on her previous posting. Perhaps she is out enjoying herself in this sophisticated city of ours!”