Support our campaign to overturn the closure placed on MAC’s bar, which has been unjustly served.

 MAC’s bar, situated on Friargate, and an employer of over 100 members of staff, which is open five nights-per-week, has been subject to an unfair and unnecessary interim order, forcing the establishment to close its doors for the foreseeable future, placing a great number of jobs in doubt. 

Mac’s bar is owned by Andrew Macdonald (Andy Mac) and directed by Andrew and his brother Alan, two former UCLAN students who have dedicated their postgraduate lives to creating safe, responsible and value for money nightlife in the city. 

The pressure that this unfair and unnecessary closure has placed on a business that Preston can be proud of, and its staff, is insurmountable. 

Following an ordinary closure, a number of visitors to the nightclub proceeded along Friargate toward the taxi ranks on Church Street, only to wait under a shop opening due to the heavy rain. Having left the establishment, a number of individuals then proceeded to “chant” and sing celebratory songs following the successful promotion push by Preston North End the previous weekend.  Preston Police described this behaviour as having caused a nuisance to the public and/or disorder.  It is noteworthy that Friargate is not a residential area and Preston Police have not identified a single member of the public who could be described as a victim of anti-social behaviour, nuisance or disorder connected to their complaint against the club. 

In the circumstances it is highly questionable whether in fact any nuisance or disorder occurred emanating from the dispersal of visitors from the nightclub. As such the use of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to close the club is highly disproportionate and unjustified.

If the behaviour outlined above can reasonably be described as nuisance or disorder the discrepancy in point is one concerning where the responsibility of the establishment ends, and where the one overseen by the Police Service begins. As a business, MAC’s Bar cannot be responsible for the actions of individuals who visit the premises, who later go on to become a nuisance to the Public. Whilst we understand that we have a duty to ensure a safe drinking environment, we cannot be liable for the actions of others outside the vicinity of our establishment, especially those who proceed well beyond our property.

Please sign the petition to help us overturn this unfair interim order and set a precedent to the council and court: Businesses, like MAC’s Bar, cannot be responsible for the actions of individuals who proceed to sing and chant when their beloved football team has just secured promotion. MAC’s Bar should not be faced with closure.