Club curbs trouble

HAPPY returns . . . (from left) Simon Thompson, of Lush; youth worker Sharon Poll; Oldham Council’s Neil Consterdine; Ovid Eastmond; PCSO Rhiannon Ashworth and Liquid & Envy manager Adele Lord

Youngsters get the message

POLICE, youth workers and a nightclub are continuing their quest to help steer the next generation of Oldhamers away from drunken excess.

Oldham’s Liquid & Envy nightclub holds an under-18s night with support from Oldham Police and Oldham Youth Service to provide a safe and enjoyable night out while promoting healthy messages.

To mark the fourth anniversary of the scheme, management presented youth workers with a birthday cake to thank them for all their help and hard work.

Nightclub manager Adele Lord said: “If we can put messages across to teenagers before they hit 18, then it will help us to reduce incidents of binge drinking and the consequences of it, as our 18-year-olds already understand how they are expected to behave and what happens when they don’t.

“For example, if anyone is causing trouble in the venue, their parents are called and they are not allowed to attend future events. This mirrors the night time economy’s new Barring scheme, where offenders at one premises are barred from all venues and persistent offenders are taken to court to be issued with ASBOs.

“If we can help to educate our youths at an early age then we feel that it can only help the town centre in the long-term.”

The under-18s nights are professionally managed, have a 100 per cent search policy on the door and carry out alcohol testing to every child to ensure they have not been consuming alcohol before they visit. The smoking terrace is also closed.

Beer pumps and fridges are covered, advertising posters and bar displays are removed, and alcohol is locked safely away. Only soft drinks can be purchased and water is available without charge.

All managers, staff, doorstaff and entertainers are given criminal record checks in advance.

Adele added: “We asked for support from the youth workers and local police and had a tremendous response.

“The youth workers in particular are fantastic with the youngsters as they work with them on a daily basis and have a good understanding of their issues.”