September 16, 2011 11.14 am This story is over 150 months old

Local boozers put on Alternative Freshers’ Fayre

Pubs galore: Local boozers will put on an alternative freshers’ fayre to compete with the official one at the Engine Shed.

The Alternative Freshers’ Fayre will return on September 20, an opportunity for local businesses to market themselves to the new intake of over 3,000 students at the University of Lincoln.

Members of Lincoln’s Pubwatch scheme are congregating at The Square Sail, also known as Lloyds Bar on the Brayford, between 11am and 3pm to show the new Lincolnites what the city has to offer.

The event has been running for several years, formerly being held at the Glasshouse (now Toby Carvery) and the Library Bar (now the Old Station Nursery) and is a popular alternative of the official Freshers’ Fayre run by the Engine Shed, which does not allow local bars and clubs to take part.

Lincoln BIG evening economy manager, Marian Cooney, said many of the local publicans will be participating.

Cooney said: “They are all taking stands at the event, to tell students about their venues and what they offer, in the way of food, music and special evenings.”

The Street Pastors, Street Wardens and representatives of the Terence Higgins Trust will also be attending, and Cooney explained that raising young people’s awareness of alcohol and drug abuse is also on the agenda.

“Really, our prime objective is to encourage students to be sensible and to reassure them that this is a safe place to be in the evenings,” said Cooney.