Final five bars called to cheap booze review

The final five bars due to have their licences reviewed in Oldham Council’s crackdown on cheap town centre drinks promotions will be called to a meeting next month.

Licensing officers told 22 town centre drinking establishments back in April how they planned to introduce strict regulations on bars which sell cheap drinks.

The restrictions, which apply to outlets selling alcohol for less than 75p a unit (£1.88 for a pint of strong lager) include making bars pay for extra police, post office-style queuing and not allowing revellers to buy more than two drinks at a time.

The review has been going on all summer.

Now, most pubs, clubs and bars have reached agreement with the council.

Only one, the Old Mess House, has challenged the restrictions at a Licensing Panel meeting, and not been subject to the review.

On November 3, the last five bars — Mink and Bamboogie in Fairbottom Street; The Castle, Union Street; Tokyo’s, Roscoe Street; and Vogue, Yorkshire Street — have been called to a panel.

But Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for the environment and infrastructure, believes agreements will be made with them all, meaning no need for reviews.

He said: “It just shows that a lot of people said we were crazy, but everyone has signed up, bar one.

“ People are coming from all over the country to look at this and we are looking to introduce the Oldham model across Greater Manchester.”