Clean up your trails of vomit and urine, says Council

The MEN is reporting that new bars and clubs could be barred from specific areas of Manchester city centre after Councillor Marc Ramsbottom complained that residents were being affected by night-time noise.

The areas mentioned are Canal Street, which is already one of the worst areas to live if you value sleep, the Northern Quarter, which is already over-subscribed with apartments not bars, and Piccadilly, where the prostitutes generate more noise than drunken revellers (as residents of the nearby student halls will confirm).

It's not just new clubs and bars that would be affected, as it's reported that existing premises would struggle to to extend their opening hours. It would also affect other licensed premises - in particular restaurants.

It's the age old problem of residents vs ravers - should the city be allowed to expand it's drinking dens at the expense of the residents? The solution requires more thought from residents and not licensees. If you want the quiet life then move to Castlefield, Salford Quays, Piccadilly Basin or New Islington. If you're being shown around an apartment that shares a street with a nightclub, four bars and a selection of KFC variants (Krunchy, Kansas etc) then expect noise. And if you're thinking about building a swanky apartment block next to Sankeys, don't!.


People turn up drunk, what shall I do?

The council's licensing policy, which by law must undergo a review every three years, isn't for the faint hearted. The sixty three page document (available in PDF format) is full of waffle. The highlights are the sections on 'Large capacity venues', which are referred to as High Volume Vertical Drinking Establishments, perhaps filled with customers who struggle to remain vertical, and the Q and A for take-away owners..."People turn up who are drunk. How do I handle this problem". (Answer: Rat on the local pub, "It's an offence to serve somebody who is drunk".)

A mellow city

Here's a few suggestions from the council for bar and club owners:

- Play chilled out music
- Agree volume with DJs in advance
- Organise secure cycle parking
- Put up signs asking people to leave quietly
- Ask local residents what time they want the bar to shut
- When there is a risk to the public (hypnotism or raves) ensure the audience is kept apart from the performer.
- Give clear notice to customers when using smoke machines

And finally, how to prevent customers 'leaving trails of vomit and urine'.
"Clean any vomit or urine".