A NEWPORT nightspot owner says he has no choice but to follow another city club's suit and bring in a controversial £5 all you drink promotion.

After the Wednesday night promotion at Escapade in Stow Hill bought hundreds of clubbers into the city, Mojo and the Meze Lounge will now also offer the deal where customers are only served one drink at a time and must return their glass or bottle to the bar before being given another.

The Escapade scheme brought allegations from some Argus readers that it would increase drink-fuelled anti-social behaviour in the city centre - something denied by that club's boss Steve Dew.

Mojo and Meze Lounge owner Iftekhar Haris said customers have been displaced from one venue to another and people are now just looking at the cheapest drinks.

The Meze Lounge and Mojo will now offer the same promotion, starting next Wednesday.

Mr Haris said he was forced to take the decision. He even thinks he will not make any money from the promotion.

Mr Haris said: “We’ll have people but we’ll make a loss.”

He added: “It’s like a war now. I don’t want to give them the benefit of a monopoly.”

Inspector Rod Grindlay from Gwent Police said: "We are in active consultation with the licensing trade and they are all aware of their responsibilities under the Licensing Act. We will monitor the situation and if there are any associated issues with crime or disorder, if necessary we will take action against individuals or the licensed premises as appropriate."