Gatecrasher defends itself over fake vodka reports

On 15 August Gatecrasher Bars & Clubs was fined £5,000 and £2095.67 costs for selling industrial alcohol as vodka at a student fresher event at its Bed venue in Leeds.

The company said in 2012, it used a second tier reputable and registered supplier to purchase house vodka for its Leeds venue. 

The club had an existing two-year relationship with the London-based supplier and Gatecrasher said it was not involved in any back-door 'cash deals' for alcohol.

Gatecrasher said it carried out stringent ABV tests and also independently taste tests all its new alcohol products from third party suppliers. All previous ABV and taste tests carried out on alcohol provided by this supplier had passed.

However, Gatecrasher admitted that an ABV test had not been carried out on the vodka but a taste test was carried out at the bar as soon as the club opened. The manager immediately realised the product was sub-standard and removed the vodka from sale.

In a statement Gatecrasher said the vodka that Trading Standards found on September 2012 was in a storeroom for disposal later that evening and none of the vodka was ever sold.

Simon Raine, chief executive of Gatecrasher, said:  "It is unfair that the actions of a third party supplier now call in to question our reputation. It is unacceptable that we have been prosecuted when the supplier’s court case has yet to take place. Gatecrasher will seek legal recourse against the supplier and may appeal against the Trading Standard ruling."

Gatecrasher said it no longer uses second tier suppliers and only buys directly from brands.

Gatecrasher has completed a strategic corporate restructuring programme. It claims the move will allow the brand to continue to grow both domestically and globally.