Nightclub joins safety campaign (From Wiltshire Times)

Nightclub joins safety campaign

10:04am Sunday 11th February 2007 in Trowbridge By Andy Sambidge

A CAMPAIGN to reduce the number of drink-related injuries in Trowbridge has won support from one of the town's biggest clubs.

In December, Inspector Dave Cullop, of Trowbridge Police, urged the town's bars and late-night pubs to replace glasses with polycarbonate products to prevent horrific life-changing glass assaults.

Polycarbonate is a kind of tough plastic which is virtually unbreakable and the idea is even if they are thrown they will not shatter so cannot cause nearly as much damage as broken glass.

Just So Cafe and The Snooker Club, off Silver Street were the first two to make the switch and now Trowbridge's largest nightclub, Chicago Rock Café, has joined the campaign.

Management expect the change to reduce the level of accidents within the venue, particularly women with open toed shoes.

General manager Jim Treherne said: "When a glass breaks in the venue on a busy night, we do all we can to clear up the breakage as quickly as possible, but unfortunately some people can tread on the glass and cause minor cuts to feet, particularly our female customers in open shoes.

"The introduction of polycarbonate material has been tried successfully in venues all over the UK but still relatively new in Wiltshire but now Chicago Rock Café wants to lead by example and encourage other licensed premises to make the safer switch."

Inspector Cullop added: "I am extremely pleased that Chicago Rock Café has taken the lead to create a safer venue for all concerned.

"As a nationally recognised brand name, it sends out a clear message to the public that you can go out and have an enjoyable evening in a well-managed environment."

Insp Cullop told the Wiltshire Times that a teenager suffered serious facial injuries last year after having a wine glass ground into her face.