Ref. 72583-58 Lionel StarlingSWINDON'S town centre has become a no-go zone for the over 30s according to the council's licensing chief.

Only a small proportion of residents feel brave enough to venture out after dark because of growing drunken disorder on the streets, says Lionel Starling.

And the licensing officer at Swindon Council says groups of revellers are too intent on consuming as much alcohol as possible as quickly as possible, and describes them as "standing up like sardines, just knocking back shots".

War could now be waged on binge drinking by clamping down on cheap drinks promotions and happy hours, which encourage reckless boozing.

Banning promotions and two-for-one cocktail offers was one of a number of possible measures discussed by the council's licensing committee in a bid to tackle the culture of binge drinking which fuels violence.

Mr Starling, said: "We would like to put a stop to any trading that is directed at encouraging people to drink a large amount of alcohol in a short space of time.

"We are particularly concerned about deals where people pay a set price for a whole raft of drinks such as a line of vodka shots.

"Happy hours can also encourage reckless drinking they are about drinking against the clock."

Under the Government's new licensing act, if a disorder problem can be pinned down to a particular bar, pub or club, the licensee will be hauled before the council's licensing committee

They could then face tough restrictions on their licence, a fine or have the licence taken away altogether.

Previously, magistrates would have renewed the licences annually and dealt with any complaints.

A draft policy has been drawn up for when the new regulations come into force in November.

Police and the local authority will have the power to call in a licence if it contravenes regulations.

And the council wants to use this new power to crack down on the cheap drinks deals.

Lionel said another reason for binge drinking is the lack of variety in Swindon's night-life.

"We need more pub games, more videos being shown and more coffee bars.

"A lot of people that would want to come into the town centre don't because they are too scared.

"Only a tiny proportion of the population goes there it's a no-go zone for the over 30s."

What do Swindons bar managers think?

TALK of a council ban on cheap drinks promotions has angered bar managers in Swindon.

Many fear any such move could have a drastic effect on their trade and they dont believe that banning such offers would have any impact on binge drinking in the town centre.

Manager of Longs Bar in Victoria Road, Gavin Lloyd,said: I dont think that drinks promotions are responsible for the problems.

If they stop promotions people will just drink at home until 10pm instead. Then they will arrive at pubs drunk which could cause more problems.

Jerry Silvester, who manages the Riflemans pub in Regent Street, said: Binge drinking only became apparent when the council and the Government started to allow pubs to stay open longer.

To say that people get really drunk because of drinks promotions is a load of old tosh.

Its unfair that the authorities are trying to make it our fault when they created the environment that allows it to happen anyway.

Geoff Budd, is assistant manager at Yates Wine Bar.

He said: I dont think binge drinking will stop.

Most of the drinks promotions dont apply on a Friday or Saturday night.

And then thats when there is the most binge drinking in Swindon.

This will damage the profits of the licensing trade. Pubs are going to have to concentrate more on what food they can offer instead.

However, Helen Fletcher, manager of Rudis said that cutting down on binge drinking would be good for young people.

I do feel sorry that it has come to this but for the protection of young people it could be a good thing.

Diane Milne