Newport hits back over Bouncers TV slur

The Channel 4 programme, which followed door staff from the city’s LRS Security as they dealt with drunken revellers, has caused outrage not least because of comments from bouncers themselves, branding Newport clubbers “inbred” and “mongos”.

The company has now ceased trading, but its former MD has apologised for any offence caused. But the backlash rages on as residents, traders, politicians, police and Newport council speak out in Newport’s defence.

DAVID DEANS spoke to the door-staff company featured in the programme, as well as residents, traders, politicians and the police on their views of the broadcast.

THE former MD of the company featured in Bouncers has apologised for any offence the documentary caused – but said he was unhappy with how his firm was portrayed.

Richard Davis was featured in the programme as MD of the now-defunct LRS Security. He said: “I want to apologise to the people of Newport for any offence that the documentary has caused.”

He added that he had not got involved to offend people and had wanted to showhow the industry was improving and show Newport as an up-and-coming place to go out.

Mr Davis, who is no longer involved with Guard Pro and is soon to go abroad to become a bodyguard, said the documentary was heavily edited “to give it the shock factor”.

His apology comes after door staff in the programme have been criticised for their actions during the broadcast.

One of the most controversial comments in the showwas made by Mr Gower, who was filmed at the door of Kama Lounge, saying: “I understand going out for a drink and having a laugh but they are all f****** inbred and mongos.”

He said that the “mongo” comment from Mr Gower referred to incidents around him at that time: “You have to appreciate that that camera was stood by him for 100 hours. The good stuff about Newport – and I know he said good stuff – none of that was put into the film.

“We did see it before it went out, but the film we saw was not the one that aired.”

The Argus understands that Mr Gower and fellow bouncer Geraint Clarke left their jobs with the firm that replaced LRS Security, Pro Guard, on Wednesday night after the programme was first aired.

James Hopkins, MD of Guard Pro which took on some of the staff from LRS Security when it ceased trading last autumn, said Mr Gower and Mr Clarke resigned after the documentary was broadcast.

Another featured bouncer, Jamie Yarnold, finished last November.

“Joe’s comments were a bit of a shock to us,” he said.

He said the comments made by the doormen did not reflect “the sentiments and feelings of Guard Pro staff and management”.

Mr Hopkins, who is to complain to Channel 4 and the documentary maker, said his firm had a different management team from LRS.

However, Iftekhar Haris, who owns Kama Lounge, said he has stopped Guard Pro providing him with door staff to his bars.

He criticised the comments of bouncer Joe Gower, who worked at the Kama Lounge as recently as last week: “I was absolutely horrified when he said that,” Mr Haris said, saying that he wasn’t like that.

“We do turn people away but that doesn’t mean that you can call people that.”

Disgraceful, say citizens, reality, says Channel 4

POLITICIANS, police and a senior Newport council official said they felt the documentary failed to show a balanced picture of Newport.

Managing director of Newport council Tracey Lee said the film provided a disappointing snapshot of nightlife in Newport.

NOT REPRESENATIVE: Tracey Lee MD of Newport council

She said: “The programme was not representative of everyday life in the city… condensing several weeks of filming into a 60- minute programme. “As such it is not a fair reflection of Newport’s evening culture.”

IRRESPONSIBLE TV: Cllr Ed Townsend

The cabinet member responsible for Newport’s regeneration schemes, Cllr Ed Townsend, called it “concocted theatre”. “It’s wholly irresponsible for a TV programme to only focus on the negatives,” he said.

UNREPRESENTATIVE: Newport East MP Jessica Morden

Jessica Morden, Labour’s Newport East MP, said it was completely unrepresentative of the city she knows: “There’s no news in good people in Newport doing great things for the city.”

STILL GREAT CITY: MP Paul Flynn

Paul Flynn, Newport West MP, said: “Come on, Newport. It’s time to stop beating ourselves up. This was a tiny slice of the worst of local life. We still have a great city.

There are hundreds of pubs and dozens of restaurants here that are comfortable, well-run and safe.” Lliswerry Labour Cllr Allan Morris said the programme raises issues of concern to Newport council licensing committee, of which he is a member, and has asked that it is shown the broadcast.

But he added: “It was a snapshot taken through the eyes of the bouncers, people have to realise that.”

Gwent Police also said it was disappointed at the city’s portrayal in the documentary, and Superintendent David Johnson, co-chairman of the Safer Newport Partnership, said: “Our officers will continue to work with responsible licensees and accredited security providers to ensure the safety of Newport citizens.”

Newport traders and residents expressed their disgust about the programme. Liam Jennings, manager of the Potters pub, in Upper Dock Street, said: “The bouncers let Newport down. “We are in a bit of a low in Newport at the moment, for that to happen isn’t good for the city.”

Suzanne Bath, an employee at the Potters, said: “I thought the bouncers were disgusting in their views. I found some of the comments quite offensive.”

Jane Lalies, an employee at Exclusive Jewellery, in Newport Market, who is from Duffryn and a grandmother of three, said: “I thought it was absolutely disgraceful. They really showed Newport in a bad light. There are lots of nice pubs in Newport.”

‘CHANNEL 4 SHOULD BE ASHAMED’: Mike Turner of AD Turner and Sons butchers.

Mike Turner, of AD Turner and Sons butchers, Newport Market, said: “Channel 4 should be ashamed. They took the worst possible points they could have taken.”

Dean Beddis, of Kriminal Records in Newport Market, said: “I thought it was a shameful display. I know quite a few bouncers who are very professional and don’t conduct themselves that way.”

Kim Jones, a charity worker from Langstone, said: “The bouncers weren’t the most professional but it was funny, cringy but funny.”

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “This was an observational documentary following a group of doormen as they carried out their work. “Filming took place during their shifts and at their company headquarters, showing the reality of their working lives.”

EDITORIAL COMMENT: The true Newport

THE Channel 4 documentary Bouncers, filmed in Newport last year, was always going to attract criticism.

The simple facts of the matter are that it could have been filmed in any UK city and the results would have been the same.

Newport is not a perfect place to go on a night out and it would be foolish for us to say it is. But neither is it the city portrayed in the film and it has done well in recent years to shakeoff its image as a trouble spot.

We hope this documentary hasn’t put it back to square one in the eyes of those who don’t know the true Newport.