Arena pulls out of plan for booze-led Carnage
POPULAR city nightclub Arena has decided to pull out of two fancy dress student pub crawls in Exeter.
The club has decided to pull out amid concerns that the events, organised by Carnage UK, could see 1,500 students descend on city bars and clubs over two nights.
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Arena nightclub
Worries have been voiced by civic leaders, the police and the University of Exeter’s students guild about the events, which are taking place this Sunday, and Sunday, November 15.
This weekend’s event will see 50 stewards, employed by the company, shepherding students between venues. It is the first time Carnage UK has hosted an event in the city.
A spokesman for Arena said: “I can confirm that Arena has decided not to go ahead with the Carnage event this Sunday.
“We remain confident the proceedings will be well controlled and trouble free, however have taken the commercial decision not to be part of this event.
“We wish all the participants a safe and fun night out and apologise that Exeter’s premier night club will not be partaking this time.”
This follows the withdrawal of Mosaic in Mary Arches Street, which decided to pull out after hearing police concerns.
But other venues, including Rococos in Mary Arches Street and Walkabout in Fore Street, where the event will kick off at 5.15pm, have confirmed they would still be taking part and reassured people that they would do all they could to ensure the events ran smoothly.
Varsity Leisure Group Ltd said its Carnage UK events are carefully planned, organised and managed.
In response to Arena’s withdrawal from the event, a spokesman said: “Varsity Leisure Group, the owner of the Carnage UK brand, has measures in place to ensure that students are able to attend the event this Sunday.”
Extra police will be drafted in to help cope with the two pub crawls. Police claim booze-fuelled pub crawls can encourage binge drinking.
And they fear the events could lead to a repeat of circumstances in which University of Exeter student Gavin Britton tragically died after a heavy drinking session in the city in 2006.
The Echo previously reported how the 18-year-old fresher was found dead after he had been on a pub crawl as part of a so-called initiation ceremony for a university sports society in 2006.
13 Comments
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by elle, exeter
Sunday, October 25 2009, 1:44PM
“Yawn....Im hungry.”
by Hamish, Exeter, 25th October 2009
Friday, October 23 2009, 4:03PM
“I've been to a number of Oxjam events over the past couple of years and they have all been really good. Considering it's local people all making an effort to pull off something really special i think fair play to them really. I'll defo be checking it out on Sunday to see if Exeter can pull it out of the bag! Good luck for sunday guys, see you there with a blue face on!”
by Emily, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 3:43PM
“Yeah I agree...the comedy event was a bit of a nightmare due to the hecklers...
Oxjam itself looks wicked though...I prefer those sort of venues to arena and its only a fiver.
Im willing to take my chances and see what the locals have to offer other than alcohol & fancy dress fuelled student nightmare!! :)”
by oliver read, beyond the bottle
Friday, October 23 2009, 3:36PM
“What's the fuss?
Arena pull out? It's their choice and their right.
I hope everyone who goes on the pub crawl has a really good night.
I do wonder how many of the students will make their 9am lectures?
E+E can you find out?”
by Lara, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 3:35PM
“Hannah - sorry you didn't enjoy our comedy event, it was all for charity, and most people had a great time.
However the main Oxjam event is ntohing to do with comedy, we have over 40 bands and DJs playing across 6 venues, so there should be something for everyone. You should come and check it out, its for a really good cause. You'd pay double the £5 ticket price to see our surprise guest alone!”
by Richard, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 12:25PM
“Why anyone - even pub crawl drunk students! - would wish to go to Arena is beyond me - the place stinks!!!!!!!!!!!! They aint gonna be missing much!”
by Hannah, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 12:09PM
“Sorry to say this but the last Oxjam event i went ot where there was meant to be comeidans was completely unfunny and i actually walked out of. Sorry to say this but the comedians we're rude and not all funny.
Well done to Arena though, after the Sheffield Hallum Carnage crawl where a student was captured urinating all over a war memorial i cant blame them for taking a stand”
by TH, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 11:44AM
“If Arena has pulled out then the event must be bad.......never had Arena down as being fussy about the clientelle they let in, normally full of kids and chavs!!”
by brin, exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 11:27AM
“Good on you Arena. A club with an attitude like Arenas is hard to find in this profit driven world we live in. It has made a sensible and socially aware move in its decision to pull out of this pubcrawl. It has obviously thought hard and looked at the views of Exeter residents and put us first for a change.”
by Trevor Leaf, Exeter
Friday, October 23 2009, 10:28AM
“I am pleased with Arena, it is a fine club with principles, it's just a shame more clubs can't be like Arena, and I don't mean full of 17 year olds in case you are wondering.”