No more drunken student raves in Bangor

Oct 28 2009

Drinking

BANGOR publicans and nightclub owners have called time on Carnage UK, the company which organises mass-student drinking raves in university towns throughout Britain.

The move comes after the police told city publicans that they would not support another visit after the problems caused by the booze-cruise organisers last March.

Local MP Betty Williams, raised questions in the House of Commons and wrote to the Home Secretary demanding background checks into the commercial purpose of the Birmingham based company after the havoc they caused in Bangor which needed doubling of police and ambulance resources on the night.

Acting chief inspector Richard Green, said: "It would be wrong to call this a ban. What we have done is made our position clear that we do not support Carnage UK returning to Bangor because we want to prevent crime and disorder.

"Their visit would add to crime and disorder problems even though the company says that they have control measures in place.

"The decision is down to the pubs themselves."

John Jackson president of Bangor’s Student Union said: "To clarify, Undeb (Trading) Cyf, have not been involved in any sort of 'ban' of Carnage, but there was agreement not to be involved in any future events arranged by them.

"Undeb (Trading) Cyf, the company which runs Time and Academi at the Students' Union buildings, agreed to pull out of any future events involving Carnage, along with the agreement of other licensees in the area, after major concerns raised by the North Wales Police.

"Similar events held elsewhere in the UK have been associated with anti-social behaviour and have been condemned by the NUS (National Union of Students), which I believe contributed to the concerns of North Wales Police."

Gareth Lynch, manager of the popular Fat Cat gastropub on Bangor High Street, said: "We took part in the first Carnage UK tour of Bangor and there were no problems. They came here enjoyed themselves and moved on. I’m a bit split in my views on this."

"Bangor needs more of these sorts of events to bring the student population together but I can also appreciate that locals are against this and it can cause trouble."

Paul Bahia, managing director of Varsity Leisure Group who own Carnage UK, said: ‘The object of the event is to bring together the broad cross section of students to encourage social engagement, understanding and friendship, which will assist the individual student to integrate within his/her new community.

"Carnage UK send an operating schedule to the relevant Licensing Authority for each event. This document sets out how organisational measures for the event will ensure the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety and the prevention of public nuisance."