A Newcastle bar has been denied permission to sell more cheap shots, amid police fears that the “bargain” offer would lead students to drink more.
Bosses at city centre club Bijoux appeared before councillors last month in a bid to expand its offer of lower-alcohol £3 trebles. The Mosley Street venue was the first in Newcastle to start selling 20% ABV shots, half the strength of the usual 40% and also sold at half the price, but can only do so on its ground floor under the terms of its licence.
While the bar’s representatives insisted that the offer is “in no way an irresponsible promotion” and that it in fact cuts levels of drunkenness, city authorities opposed the plans to extend the sale of the cheaper shots across Bijoux’s upper floors. After the hearing in September, Newcastle City Council’s licensing sub-committee has rejected the bar’s proposals.
