Chav night at Revenge causes controversy

Revenge, one of Brighton’s most popular gay bars, has defended hosting a “chav night” amid accusations of the theme being classist and offensive.

Promotions for the event included a flyer showing Little Britain’s Vicky Pollard pushing a pram of five children. Punters were asked: “how chav will you go?” and were promised “chav anthems all night”.

Alex Foley, 22, from Brighton, started an online petition calling for the club to apologise and to axe the event.

He told The Argus: “It’s a shame that a club that has an obligation to be inclusive and welcoming towards all sorts of people decides to mock the working class.

“There’s a lot of literature as to how chav is detrimental to the working class as a whole. The Top Gear supporters of the world will say that whenever Jeremy Clarkson has delivered his latest gaffe that it is just tongue-in-cheek and we’re oversensitive.

“But the club has to ask itself where it would be if the PC bullies hadn’t cracked down on homophobic remarks decades ago. It’s apparently fashionable to bash the poor now.”

Several partygoers have hit back at this response on social media, claiming that those opposed to the night were simply “looking for a reason to whine”.

In a statement Revenge said: “Our theme for January 22 was never intended to cause any offence whatsoever and we are genuinely sorry if this is the case.

“Since announcing the chav theme, we have made it very clear it is tongue-in cheek by using images of pop stars and comedy characters, focusing on the fashion and music associated with the identity and certainly never adhering to social class.

“Revenge is an entertainment venue and we strive to give people the bestpossible night in a safe environment.

“We pride ourselves on raising funds for charities and LGBT groups including Sussex Beacon, Mind Out, THT, the University societies and the Rainbow Fund”.

“We put on events that appeal to a diverse audience and are one of the most welcoming venues in the city.”