Mavis launches Monday nights out in town centre: VOTE

BAR and club owners in Rotherham are calling on the help of Mavis to breathe fresh life into the town centre and make Monday night the new big night of the week.The Where’s Mavis Monday night relaunch aims to tempt people back into the town with the
BAR and club owners in Rotherham are calling on the help of Mavis to breathe fresh life into the town centre and make Monday night the new big night of the week.

The Where’s Mavis Monday night relaunch aims to tempt people back into the town with the chance to win prizes if they can hunt down Mavis on a mobile phone.

The move is an attmept to compensate for dwindling numbers of revellers on Thursday evenings.

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And instead of competing with cheap drinks promotions, businesses have formed an alliance and agreed fixed prices and opening hours in a bid to increase footfall and boost the night time economy.

Lee Mills (35), manager of Tryst and chairman of Rotherham’s Pub and Club Watch, said: “The whole point of the Monday night push is to get everyone working together to make the town a better place.

“Thursday nights have declined so far that we had to do something to stop Rotherham becoming a two-night-a-week operation.”

Lee, who said that the campaign was aimed at all people of all ages, added: “Going out on a Monday will cost less and people who can’t afford to go out at the weekend at the moment may find Monday’s meet their budget.

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“For people who work, it doesn’t have to be a late night—we’re not suggesting they stay out until 3am but people do start work at all different times.”

People choosing to stay away from the town centre have cited fears over safety, crime and the environment among the main reasons but Lee urged critics to give the town centre another chance.

“Those types of comment have to be from someone who hasn’t experienced a night out in the town or from somebody who might have seen one incident and thinks that it is the norm,” he said.

“I see first hand from the door of my bar that Rotherham has very little violence and disorder.

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“I would invite anybody to come and spend the evening with me and see Rotherham at night for themselves.”

Strict entry policies, dress codes, well-trained door staff and ID checks were factors which Lee said made Rotherham “immensely safe.”

He added: “There is also a visible police presence to ensure that any incidents are dealt with swiftly.

“The borough council, police and chamber of commerce are doing a phenomenal job.”

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Lee along with the members of Rotherham Pub and Clubwatch, is hoping that the new Monday night promotion called Where’s Mavis will spark new interest in the town.

He said: “Mavis can be found by searching for active bluetooth devices on the venue manager’s mobile phone.

“Each week just one venue will hide Mavis and the first to connect to Mavis, between 9pm and 10.30pm, wins the rest of their night free of charge and other prizes donated by businesses.

“In addition, anyone that comes from out of town on Monday night and shows the bar staff a valid bus ticket or taxi receipt can have a free drink.

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“And taxi drivers are offering a ten per cent discount for anyone dropped off or picked up within half a mile of the town centre, from 8pm on Monday nights.”

With promises that anyone visiting the town centre will find quality DJs, a great atmosphere and a big investment in entertainment—including performances from Rotherham-born singer Siobhan Gallagher—pub and club owners are banking on Mondays in the town centre being reborn.

Lee said: “We want to give people a reason to stay in Rotherham.

“I think there is some way to go but we’re moving in the right direction.”

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