Western Daily Press (Saturday)
‘Out of practice’ freshers advised on safe drinking
ANEW campaign has been launched to promote responsible drinking and safety among university freshers who, because of the lockdown, are “out of practice”… at boozing.
The warnings have been issued for new students who have forgotten how to drink sensibly and stay safe in pubs.
Lockdowns and closures mean many may not have socialised in bars and clubs before and may be unaware of the risks of going out at night.
Bristol Rules is a new poster campaign led by the city council and backed by universities and venues.
The hope is that freshers and older students will take more care while out and make sure their friends get home safely.
Carly Heath, Bristol City Council’s night-time economy adviser, told the BBC: “This year is particularly magnified because we’ve got two years’ worth of 18-yearolds hitting the clubs for the first time.
“It’s making sure that they consume alcohol within moderate limitations when they go out, not abandoning their friends and making sure that they will get home together, and giving them the confidence to call out bad behaviour when they see it.”
Before the pandemic struck, Bristol would normally have seen the population swell by 40,000 to 50,000 during term-time as people began or continued their university or college courses.
Lockdown restrictions for nightclubs were lifted in July, and so far in Bristol many events have either sold out or are near capacity, making it feel like “a normal season”, Ms Heath told the BBC.
“Many of us are excited to be back out with friends old and new, but we’re out of practice going out to socialise, and tolerances may have reduced.
“We know that fresher season is always chaotic, but in a good way in nightlife in Bristol.
“The campaign messaging is there to welcome people back and to act as a reminder for people to take it easy, take care of themselves and the people they are with and keep an eye out for others to make sure everyone is having a good time.”
She claimed Bristol was the first city in the UK to put together this type of poster and billboard campaign.
The project has been paid for via the England European Regional Development Fund.
“We also expect that some of the posters will come down and end up on the bedroom walls, as tends to happen during freshers season, so we will do another run to make sure they stay up and they will be on billboards across the city,” added Ms Heath.