Bar accused of exploiting drunk students

Feb 12 2007 By James Cartledge, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM nightspot has been accused of exploiting drunken students by allegedly encouraging them to strip, pole dance and compete in wet T-shirt contests.

The University of Birmingham's Guild of Students said it had received several complaints about the fortnightly Chaos event, held at the Sports Cafe, in Broad Street.

A motion put before the Guild's council claimed pictures and videos of students at Chaos were on sale over the internet.

The motion said: "The nature of Chaos goes against the Guild's policy of responsible drinking. Encouraging drunk students to strip, pole dance, or participate in wet T-shirt competitions, and then selling

photos of this could be considered exploitation. The Guild should seek to prevent students being exploited."

Guild officials resolved to send a "clear message to the organisers of Chaos and other clubs and club promoters that the exploitation of our students is not acceptable".

And they pledged to contact student unions at other universities to warn them of the issue.

The Sports Cafe would not comment.

A company called Amcas, based in Brighton and Birmingham, filmed and took pictures of revellers at Chaos.

Managing director Lucas Tucknott confirmed images of the event had been on sale through its website. But he said they had been removed from sale and the company had cut its ties with Chaos after the complaints arose.

"We are aware of issues raised by the university concerning an event we were involved with," Mr Tucknott said. "We met with the university and the Guild of Students and decided not to be involved with the club and that specific night."

Guild president Gary Hughes said officials had been in talks with the event's promoters about the complaints.

"We are having conversations with a set of club promoters because some of the activities attracted complaints from our members," he said.