A NEW bar aimed at bringing a more “upmarket crowd” to Blackburn town centre has been criticised for arranging an “Ibiza porn party”.

The move has been greeted with outrage and dismay after bosses of The Snug, an after-hours venue in Church Street, announced the one-off event.

The evening, billed as a “sexed up frenzy of crazy carnage”, will see “porn stars” from Loaded magazine entertaining drinkers until 4am this Saturday.

Flyers invite revellers to “undress to impress” at the event.

It continues: “What better party theme could we throw than a porn party? A sexed up frenzy of crazy carnage with a whole array of extravagant entertainment.”

Just last November when the venue, formerly the White Bull, opened bosses Dan Gardner, 25, and Jamie Harvey, 27, pledged to make it a “swanky location” where professionals could relax in “upmarket”

surroundings.

It was welcomed by the town’s trade chiefs who said a more upmarket bar was needed to attract a different clientele into the town at night.

Now opposition leader Kate Hollern said the porn party was a “downmarket” reflection on Blackburn town centre.

She said: “The idea of a porn party is repulsive and absolutely not the sort of thing you want to see.

”When you talk about an upmarket place then pornography does not fit the bill.

“It is a cheap trick and a gimmick but it does the image of the town no favours at all.”

David Cottam, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said the state of Blackburn's night-time economy was "terrible".

Asked about the porn party, he said: “I am not desperately happy.

"I thought it was going to be more upmarket, somewhere for people to unwind.

“I am all in favour of doing something there, but scantily-clad ladies will not be good for Blackburn's image.”

Council leader Mike Lee said: “It is not exactly the sort of thing you would encourage to take place in the town centre but I suppose if it is light hearted and a bit of fun it will be okay.”

Snug bar boss Mr Harvey stressed there would not be any actual pornography in the venue.

He said he expects the event to attract a “nice” crowd of young professionals and students who have been flocking to previous nights put on at the venue.

Mr Harvey said: “It is just a theme night, something like you would see in Ibiza.

"It’s a fancy dress thing but it won’t be sleazy or trashy.

“It is most certainly tongue in cheek and light hearted.

“It is something a bit different for Blackburn and I’m sure our customers will love it.

“Our mission is to bring a little bit of a city centre vibe to Blackburn and that is what we have been doing since we opened.

“We are attracting a young nice crowd by putting on extravagant and lavish nights.

"It has been fantastic so far and I think we’re having a great affect on the town centre.

“We have great door staff and there has been almost zero trouble so far.”

He said a series of other theme nights are planned for the 300-capacity venue including a “carry on” night, a James Bond night and over Easter a students reunion party.

Blackburn's night life

WITH cafes that close mid-afternoon, a handful of bars and very few restaurants, critics say Blackburn's night-time economy is in the doldrums.

Opposition Labour leader Coun Kate Hollern said: “The night life in Blackburn town centre has gone down a lot over the years.

“We need to keep the issue in focus because it would be very nice when we finish work to go for a drink in an upmarket bar or stay in town and visit a nice restaurant.

“It’s a shame that there’s nowhere like that to go at the moment.”

Council leader Mike Lee said other improvement work in the town centre would hopefully lead to a knock-on effect of an improved night-time culture.

He said: “When the Mall work is finished and when other projects are complete that will attract more people to the town and we hope that these things will lead to interest from restaurants and wine bars.”

Ronnie Brown, who has run North Bar, Town Hall Street, for the last decade, said times were tough.

He said: “People aren’t coming into town and we have to look at why.

"There is very little attracting them into the town and we need support from the council.”