Bolton bar chiefs butter up customers

12:20pm Saturday 26th April 2008

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BAR managers are buttering up clubbers with a bright idea to combat late night violence in Bolton town centre.

New York New York Bar in Bridge Street is giving free buttered toast to customers at closing time, as part of a community scheme to help disperse late-night crowds from the town centre.

Management came up with the idea after it made Friday a regular promotional night.

Paul Withington, aged 23, from Tonge Moor, a manager at New York New York, said: "If people have something in their mouth, they can't be shouting when they leave. A bit of food in their belly also helps them along."

Greater Manchester Police are backing the initiative. Officers have been working closely with Bolton's bars and clubs to prevent trouble.

Bolton police licensing officer PC Garry Lee said the club had "used its loaf" to help get people home quickly and safely.

He said: "It helps police officers and door staff to engage positively with drinkers and maintain a good spirited atmosphere. This tactic seems to be working and could spread to other pubs and clubs in the town centre."

Police have tried similar initiatives using lollipops to keep trouble to a minimum during the last two festive periods.

New York New York plans to provide free toast to customers every Friday night for as long as its drinks promotion continues.

The bar offers free drinks all night on Fridays for a £12 entry free. But managers were keen to head off accusations that they are encouraging binge drinking.

Mr Withington said: "People on the all-inclusive package have just less than six drinks each on average.

"This works out as if we were selling alcohol at £1.92 a drink. There are people in town doing drinks for £1, so as far as responsible drinking is concerned, we're not letting the side down."

The bar used to provide free water but it did not prove popular, so they switched to toast.