With our industry under constant assault from the health
lobby and politicians looking for populist policy opportunities, Channel Four's
expose of Luminar nightclubs in its Undercover Boss series has only served to
reinforce prejudices currently held about the hospitality industry.
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| Another satisfied Luminar customer? |
The unedifying sight of comatose youngsters, pools of vomit
and trashed toilets throughout the length and breadth of the country in its
various venues does no favour for Luminar either. Surely this isn't what Luminar were thinking of on their website where they are proud to announce: " We strive to create memorable experiences ..."
Peter Marks, the chief
executive of the nightclub group was right to be "really angry" that
his customers exercised so little self-control that they ended up in such a
state. Personal choices and personal responsibility have to play a significant
part in such scenarios, however, as a publican of over 30 years standing I did
find Mr Marks'
faux anger somewhat disingenuous.
Where are the words of admonition for the managers and DPS'
of his 70 strong empire? At whose behest have his clubs been offering "3-4-1" drinks promotions? Have
none of his bar staff been trained to have even a rudimentary understanding of
licensing law?
Perhaps he shouldn't
leave it so long to get out and about in his estate again because lame
excuses about "supermarket competition" and "it's the recession" that
drives his business activities simply won't wash. Plenty of operators
not only obey the letter of the law but also subscribe to the spirit of the law and don't abrogate their social responsibilities purely in pursuit of profit.
Whilst I applaud his recognition of the hard-working
individuals who were high-lighted during his week behind the scenes at the
country's largest nightclub group, one cannot think that his corporate
responsibility hat has gone back in the wardrobe along with the awful wig he
wore.
Until the trade we all love and work in takes "personal
responsibility" for its actions - irresponsible drinks promotions and in
this instance blatant disregard for licensing law (allowing customers to get so
drunk they are comatose and require an emergency ambulance to be called) - then
the health lobby and politicians of all hues will continue to use our industry
as a whipping boy. As his in-house medic commented £50 of sales for the club
and £1,000 cost to the NHS can't be right. (Doesn't it say something about his venues that he has to employ in-house medics in the first instance anyway? Or is it just "good practice" these days to ensure minimal chances of legal action or licensing reviews being taken against the company and its venues?)
One thing I did notice is the preponderance of young people
in his clubs … perhaps if his company developed other market segments apart
from the 18-24 year olds and made his venues more attractive to older customers
he might not need to resort to the lowest common denominator of Jägerbombs at
two quid a pop and make a decent living out of those who know how to enjoy a
night out without getting completely and utterly wasted and don't mind paying a
reasonable price for the privilege … just a thought …
And in the spirit of balanced comment … was this dreadful
glimpse of the "night-time economy" all down to the selective editing
of the program makers to show only the shocking and "make good TV" ? Answers
on a postcard please …
... an answer I didn't expect to see were these crass comments by Peter Marks in the Publican's Morning Advertiser ... my, boil, making, blood ... in any order you like! There really is no hope for some is there?
... an answer I didn't expect to see were these crass comments by Peter Marks in the Publican's Morning Advertiser ... my, boil, making, blood ... in any order you like! There really is no hope for some is there?
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