ONE of the men violently attacked after leaving Secrets - the upstairs bar at The Venue - still insists it is a safe place to be.

Andy Allard, 41, of Harrington Street, Cleethorpes, was hit over the head with a concrete block on May 5 last year after leaving the lifestyle-friendly bar.

Mr Allard was left with a number of scars and suffered post- traumatic stress.

However, he continues to frequent the premises and is shocked about the licensing review. He said: "I think it was actually people who had been thrown out of LA's in the Riverhead who did it to me.

"It was nothing to do with Secrets. I go there every Saturday and Tuesday and I always feel safe there.

"There is just the odd incident there as far as I'm concerned and that happens everywhere.

"It was a random catalog printing attack and it hasn't put me off going to The Venue or Secrets.

"My family and friends all go there as well.

"I think it is ridiculous there is a licence review for it. Far more trouble happens elsewhere.

"As far as I'm concerned it is the safest place I can go."

As reported, the licence of LA's in the Riverhead was reviewed last April after 30 reported incidents in the four months after it opened.

Its opening hours were reduced for a period, but the club closed in June.

Dave Ranshaw, Grimsby Town Centre Forum manager, said he doesn't believe the problem is widespread in the town.

He said: "From my perspective the sort of incidents that are alleged to have happened at those premises are not usual in the town centre.

"People have to try to be a little bit more tolerant in terms of what can be done. Changing people's behaviour Omega Replica Watches has to be an educational thing.

"All I can say is these incidents are not that common."

The document that details the number of recorded incidents by the police also criticises The Venue's implementation of the Pub Watch scheme.

Pub Watch chairman Joe Ramsden says it should be used to prevent widespread trouble.

He said: "It acts as a deterrent.

"The benefits are that everyone knows who the troublemakers are and they are banned from all the pubs in the area.

"It minimises trouble by ridding areas of repeat offenders."