The club near Milton Keynes has been completely destroyed, but its owner has vowed that it “will be back”
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE BY PIXABAY/CANVA
For decades, the LGBTQIA+ nightclub Pink Punters has provided queer partygoers with a space to be themselves. But on Sunday (26 April), Thames Valley police received reports of a fire at the venue. The club was swiftly evacuated, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. Firefighters attended the scene, but unfortunately, the venue was completely destroyed.
The Guardian reported that a 51-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life. However, the police have urged the public not to speculate as to why the fire was started.
Releasing a statement on Facebook, the club’s owner Frank McMahon wrote: “Pink Punters is more than a building. It is an institution, built over many years by a wide family of staff, customers, friends and supporters. Many people have visited the site today to see the extent of the damage for themselves. We do not yet know the full extent, as the fire is still being dealt with, but we will keep people updated when we are able to do so.”
“Worldwide, nightclub fires have too often resulted in a devastating human toll. Tonight, we can all be profoundly thankful that this was not the case here. The building has been lost, but lives were protected, and that matters more than anything.”
“I also recognise that many people are deeply affected by what has happened. Pink Punters has been one big family for many years, and I know this tragedy will be felt by staff, customers, former staff, regulars, friends, performers, suppliers and many others who have been part of our story. Please know that my thoughts are with all of you as well. I am truly sorry for the sadness this has caused.”
He also vowed that: “Pink Punters will be back.”
Speaking to the BBC, Pink Punters regular, Kirsty, said the club had been the “soul of Bletchley on a night out”. She went on to say: “You’d walk into a room, and there’d be all walks of life in there, wouldn’t matter who you were, no one would judge.”
Lester Jay had been in the Pink Punters’ basement when staff began ushering people out of the building. “It was like the building was made out of matchsticks. We’ve had some warm weather, and it’s quite an old building, so it really did go up really fast,” he said. “Obviously, Pinks has been a massive part of the Milton Keynes community for many years, and I do feel for the owner and the security team. Not only them, the residents and the local people of Milton Keynes who have been coming here for many years, to see this building in the state that it is today.”
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