Bargain booze is fuelling louts

ALMOST three quarters of Oldhamers are worried about drunken louts fuelled by cheap drink causing havoc on town centre streets.

Research gathered for the Big Drink Debate shows that 77 per cent of those questioned believe promotional drinks offers in pubs, clubs and supermarkets are to blame.

Around 30,000 people across the North-West took part in the survey —including 554 Oldhamers —which is a joint initiative between the Government, the NHS, the Department of Health and the Our Life organisation.

While 73 per cent of those questioned claimed to either not drink at all or drink at a safe level, more than a quarter admitted their boozing habits were either harmful or hazardous.

A high number of Oldhamers surveyed placed the blame with pubs and clubs luring revellers in with bargain booze offers.

Liquid and Envy nightclub in Retiro Street offers selected drinks for £1.50 on Thursdays, 90p on Fridays and on a two-for-one deal every Saturday.

At Tokyo Project in Roscoe Street throughout January revellers have taken advantage of a £5.99 all you can drink offer on Fridays as well as a 90p entrance fee and 90p drinks on Saturdays.

At Oldham’s two Wetherspoons pubs — Up Steps and The Squire Knott — drinkers can buy a pint for 99p pint.

Alan Higgins, director of public health for Oldham, said: “There has been a steady rise over a number of years in alcohol-related hospital admissions. There can be no doubt that this is linked to the price of alcohol having become much cheaper over the past two decades and being much more widely available.”