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Junction safer clubbing guide
Everyone wants to have a great time on a night out. Everyone wants to fall into bed at the end of the evening feeling good about themselves and other people. No one wants it to end in tears, least of all the organisers of the event. So...
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Before you set off to a night at The Junction it is well worth checking any age restrictions which might apply to the event. This could save you the embarrassment of being turned away at the door or discovering yourself towering above everyone else in the queue for a 13 -17 year olds’ night.
In practice, most of our club nights are open to either 16+ or 18+, but there are exceptions so check out the print or ring the box office to be certain. If there is any chance that our door staff might mistake your age, bring photo ID (prove it card or driving licence). Photo ID is easy to organise in advance through our box office. Ring 01223 511 511 for details.
There is no dress code at The Junction, no nonsense about you not being admitted because you don’t look or dress in a certain way. Dress outrageously, dress plainly, be guided only by the music and the way you feel.
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The Junction is situated near main roads on the edge of a well lit industrial estate. There is a multi-storey car park next to The Junction and it is also easy for cars and taxis to pull up and drop clubbers off very close to our doors. Buses offer stops on both Hills Road and Cherry Hinton Road. Walking is always an option but you’ll feel more comfortable arriving and leaving with friends and sticking to the well-lit approaches on main roads. If you use back way short-cuts you risk stepping in puddles and treading on muck as well as the obvious dangers of walking in the dark.
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Having a plan for getting home is really important. Making the decision as to who is going to remain sober and drive you home or making the effort to pre-book a taxi ride will both seem like works of genius when you reach the end of a night of dancing and watch other people preparing for a lengthy walk home in the rain. If you’ve still not organised anything when you arrive, you’ll find a free taxi phone at the club and staff can advise you on possible bus and train options. Asking the taxi firm to pick you up from outside the front doors is the a good option.
If you have to walk, or feel the need to leave the venue early for any reason, avoid walking alone. Support your mates and pal up with mixed groups of fellow clubbers walking the same path.
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At the door of The Junction you will be searched by door staff. We employ female security so if your preference is to be frisked by someone of your own sex, be sure to ask. Searches protect everyone from potential weapons and illegal substances. No one dancing inside The Junction would think it was cool if we let someone in carrying a knife or a dangerous substance.
Potential weapons are confiscated at the door. Drugs are confiscated too. Nobody carrying either should expect to be let in. Anyone carrying the sort of weapons which suggest that they intend to do serious harm will be held and the police called to arrest them. The same goes for anyone bringing drugs with the intent to supply.
It’s important to realise that carrying ‘soft’ drugs could also leave you standing out in the cold. Whatever anyone thinks about the relative dangers of cannabis compared to other recreational drugs, it is still illegal in the UK and, so long as it remains illegal, it is banned.
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Once you’ve bought or handed over your ticket at the box office, you’ll probably want to take off your coat and put your excess baggage somewhere safe. The cloakroom is the only sound place to leave valuable items like mobile phones and bulky items like coats, jackets and handbags which could easily get moved, lost or taken by mistake if left on or around the dancefloor. There is a small charge for this service.
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You are probably ready for a drink. If you want draft beers you’ll need to head for our main bar but we also have a can bar and you can buy still, fizzy & hot drinks from the cafe counter. Remember that it is illegal for us to sell alcohol to anyone under 18 years. Please bring ID so there’s no argument. And please resist the temptation to buy drinks for friends who are under 18 as this could lose us our bar licence and when you do you will be asked to leave.
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With a drink to hand, it makes sense to hang on to it. If you leave it unattended on the side, there is a danger someone else will drink it or use it as an ashtray. In the worst case scenario someone could spike your drink with alcohol or a drug. This could lead to very serious injury, particularly if you are driving. Be vigilant.
Likewise, if you smoke, you needn't feel guilty about NOT accepting the offer
of a smoke from another person. Recent reports suggest that it is not impossible to spike a cigarette and pass it off as a normal one.
For further info visit www.urban75.com/Drugs/rape.html
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At some of our club events strobe lighting and smoke machines are used extensively in the main club room. If you suffer from epilepsy or severe asthma you should make the Duty Manager aware of your predicament. He can tell you which spaces the effects are likely to be used in.
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| Cool down - slow down - Give your ears a rest
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Once you have been dancing a while you're going to be feeling thirsty . We provide free water from the cafe counter so there’s no need to put your head under toilet taps. Try to take a break from dancing from time to time. It’s easy to forget how hot you can get until you see your face in the mirror. The downstairs gallery space is cool and quiet and a good place to slow down if you feel like you might have overdone it. The upstairs bar is good if you just want to relax where the music isn’t quite as pumping but the atmosphere is still lively.
Regular breaks in the gallery space can also be kind to your ears. Persistent exposure to loud music (and friends shouting in your ear) can be harmful. If you are a regular attender of clubs and live music events, earplugs are a sound investment - simply to be popped in your ears any time you feel uncomfortable with the noise levels. They are available at 20p per set from the cloakroom.
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If at any point you do feel unwell, it makes sense to talk to a steward. At every club night we have a Welfare Officer, whose sole responsibility is to look out for anyone who isn’t feeling too good. If you have overdone it or sense that things are getting out of control, or you are starting to feel ill, we have trained first aiders and medical staff at club nights who can help you through the experience.
Equally, in the event of you feeling threatened by another clubber or by a staff member, please report this to the Duty Manager so the situation can be monitored. When incidents occur, stories often conflict making it hard for staff to be sure why and how it happened and who was responsible. If you have given us early warning, it is easier for us to stop an incident happening in the first place, or to support your claim should something happen..
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Staff and security are there so that you can collectively party without worries. If there is trouble, it is our mission to help you out of it. For example, in the event of a fire, bomb or other serious threat, staff are trained to evacuate you safely from the building with the minimum of fuss. You can help by being aware of your surroundings and making a mental note of emergency exits. In the event of you falling ill, staff are also trained to get you the appropriate medical care as soon as possible. If you report that someone has bothered you, staff will monitor the situation and keep an eye out for you. Security spot-checks of the toilets are also made regularly for your safety.
You can play an important part in looking after yourself, by watching your alcohol intake. You will be much better equipped to deal with a problem if neither your judgement nor reactions are impaired by too much alcohol.
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If you witness or are unfortunate enough to be the victim of an incident inside The Junction, we ask you to report it straight away to staff. If it is a serious incident you may wish to report it to the police on 01223 358 966. The police contact number, and various other useful numbers can be found on the free safer clubbing cards available in the club’s foyer area.
Also available in the foyer is a feedback form asking you what you think of our event and service. If you have found staff unhelpful, please tell us about your experience so the senior management of The Junction can take appropriate action.
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The safer clubbing card aims to help you plan transport, to report incidents or complaints and to access confidential services when you feel the need for support. It contains the following numbers:
Panther Taxis: 01223 715 715 (Free phone at Junction)
Nightbus: 0870 608 2608
Trains: 08457 484 950
Junction: 01223 57 8000 (to give feedback on an event)
Police: 01223 358 966 (to report an incident)
Centre 33: 01223 316 488 www.centre33.org.uk (confidential services for young people)
Samaritans: 0845 790 9090 (24hr)
The card also outlines the service you can expect from us and the part you can play in ensuring your own safety.
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• Free taxi phone & transport advice
• Cloakroom for valuables
• Free water & chill-out area
• First aid & welfare staff on site
• Fully trained security staff
• CCTV security cameras
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• Respect our zero drugs policy
• Have a plan for transport home
• Tell staff about problems
• Stick to age restrictions
• Use our feedback form if our service isn’t up to scratch
• Take regular breaks from dancing
• 18+ watch your alcohol intake
You can pick up the Safer Clubbing Card from the foyer of The Junction.
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A great night out at The Junction should be hassle free. With everyone playing their part your enjoyment of the music, the atmosphere and the company of friends is guaranteed.
Please help us keep it safe. Safe is sound
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www.urban75.com/Drugs/
(Informed guidance on street drugs. Especially useful section on side effects and Health risks)
www.report-it.org.uk
If you are a victim of hate crime because of your religion, race, gender, disability or sexuality, this site offers a straightforward way of reporting it to the police.
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