Brighton’s stag tag is nothing to be proud of, says councillor (From The Argus)

Brighton’s stag tag is nothing to be proud of, says councillor

1:49pm Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Business News By John Keenan, business editor

A councillor has hit out at stag and hen revellers, saying they contribute little to the city’s economy. Brighton and Hove has beaten hot destinations such as Marbella and Albufeira in the popularity stakes with stag and hen groups.

Only London is more popular with party people according to the annual Redseven Hen and Stag Survey.

The survey, undertaken by Redseven, a stag and hen groups organiser based in Kensington Street, reveals that stags spend £168 per person on alcohol during the course of a stag weekend, which is £100 more than they spent on food. Hens were more restrained, spending £91 per person on alcohol. Queen’s Park councillor Ben Duncan, cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, said the city sees lot of disruption but little economic benefit from the hard-drinking groups.

He said: “Where is the money being spent? I don’t think stag and hen groups make much of a difference to the economy. A large proportion of the money is spent in off-licences on pre-loading with alcohol. The rest is spent in clubs and bars but the city sees little direct economic benefit from these parties.

“The people who organise the stags and hens have to take responsibility for the effect on the neighbourhoods where the groups stay. It is one thing to draw up a list of places for groups to go and drink but that’s not managing them in any proper sense. The issue is how they behave.

“I go to residents’ meetings and I hear about the other side of the coin.

“I hear about families whose children can’t sleep and whose lives are made a misery by these groups. We can’t put the economic needs of the city on such a pedestal that is seen to be more important than anything else.

“The visitor economy is important to the city but it doesn’t mean visitors can come here and behave how they like.”

Redseven boss Ian Lucas said: “We appreciate that where there are young people enjoying themselves, there will sometimes be noise, but we need to consider the bigger picture and the benefits of the industry on the whole city. The hen and stag industry is flourishing in the economic downturn. There are many beneficiaries, ranging from the sole trader who runs our chocolate- making classes to the hoteliers, to the taxi drivers.”