Drinks regulator investigates videos from Belfast nightclubs

A regulator tasked with investigating concerns about irresponsible alcohol advertising is currently investigating social media videos from a Belfast nightclub.

Lux, on Dunbar Street in the Cathedral Quarter, had posted interview-style videos, including some encouraging customers to smear their friends.

It removed the clips after Concerns have been raised about their content and informed consent.

The videos will now be investigated by a panel that maintains the Joint Industry Code for the Responsible Advertising and Retailing of Alcohol in Northern Ireland.

Duncan McCausland, chairman of the complaints committee, said they would determine whether the videos breached the code.

“The independent panel of the Responsible Promotion and Retail of Alcohol Code is aware of news reports of videos posted on social media recently taken at the Lux nightclub on Dunbar Street, Belfast,” he said.

“As with all cases of this nature, the independent panel will review the videos to determine whether a violation has occurred.”

The code is a self-regulatory measure introduced by the industry in 2012 The aim is to promote best practice and prevent irresponsible advertising and sale of alcohol.

The videos were posted online under the brand of Lux nightclub “Fat Wednesdays” – a club night aimed at students.

In the clips, an interviewer asks customers a series of questions, such as warning signs when dating or exposing their friends' worst stories.

On Wednesday, the club's management announced that it had listened to the concerns of many people. It had contacted the organizer and the videos were removed.

It also said that all similar content would be stopped and the campaign would be reviewed in the future.

The content should be “a bit of fun for the students/customers and for the most part it is,” it said in a statement.

“They are very popular with our customers because they really enjoy participating in these videos.”

Green councillor Áine Groogan described the election campaign as “incredibly irresponsible”.

“When you listen to the more graphic accounts, they are quite damaging and it raises questions about whether these young people are capable of giving their consent,” she said on BBC Radio Ulster's “Evening Extra” programme on Wednesday.

Lux said the style of the promotional video was popular with the club's target audience and similar videos were used across the UK.

It said that there was a “two-step” process when it came to the question of consent and “if the answer is no, the videos will be deleted and no longer used.”

In response to questions about drunkenness, Lux management explained that security and bar staff are well trained and know when customers have had too much to drink.

“The safety and enjoyment of our customers is always our top priority,” it said.