Pink Punters
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Pink Punters was a LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. The venue was destroyed by fire in April 2026.[1]
History
[edit]Described as "one of the best-known LGBTQ+ nightlife venues outside London".[2] The building stands on Watling Street in the Bletchley area of the City of Milton Keynes.[3] The nightclub was across three floors.[4] Inside there were multiple bars and a "quiet lounge with open fire".[5] Pink Punters had national accreditation for its safety standards and management.[6]
In 2012, a man was injured in a Halloween display.[7]In 2014, the nightclub commissioned a piece of public art celebrating Alan Turing.[8]
The same family has owned the plot of land the club stood on for 36 years.[9]
In late October 2021, there was an alleged case of assault against a female party-goer with a needle at the nightclub. The police did not find anything to suggest that such an incident happened.[10]
In the early hours of 26 April 2026, patrons were evacuated following a fire.[11] 12 fire crews from the Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene.[12] Just hours before the fire another suspicious fire was reported at St Martin's Church, Fenny Stratford.[13] Investigators probed any links between the two fires.[14] A Milton Keynes-based charity offered support to those affected.[15] A man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.[16]
On 30 April 2026, after an investigation by Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the fire was ruled accidental which means that third-party involvement has now been ruled out. The man previously arrested was eliminated from enquiries.[17]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Firefighters remain on scene looking for hot spots after major blaze ripped through Pink Punters nightclub in Milton Keynes". Milton Keynes Citizen. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ Wells, Callum (27 April 2026). "Man arrested after fire destroys Pink Punters LGBTQ+ nightclub in Milton Keynes". Attitude. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Nightclub evacuated after fire breaks out overnight". Bucks Free Press. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pink Punters". pinkuk.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pink Punters, Milton Keynes LGBT Nightclub". CAMRA - The Campaign for Real Ale. 26 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Pink Punters nightclub in Milton Keynes receives national award for being safe and well-managed". Milton Keynes Citizen. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Milton Keynes clubber hurt in Halloween hanging". BBC News. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Alan Turing art 'first' to celebrate codebreaker as gay". BBC News. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ Gordon-Farleigh, Neve; Danie, Richard (26 April 2026). "LGBT+ nightclub fire near Milton Keynes leads to arson arrest". BBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Needle assault at Milton Keynes club being investigated". BBC News. 28 October 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2026.
- ↑ "LGBT+ nightclub in Milton Keynes "completely destroyed" by fire". BBC News. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ McCrum, Kirstie; Scarsi, Alice (26 April 2026). "Man arrested following major fire at Pink Punters LGBT+ club". Daily Record. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fire erupted at Milton Keynes church the night before Pink Punters blaze". Milton Keynes Citizen. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fire at Pink Punters: 51-Year-Old Man Arrested Following LGBT+ Club Blaze". The English Chronicle. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Milton Keynes LGBTQ+ charity offering support to anyone affected by Pink Punters fire". Milton Keynes Citizen. 27 April 2026. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ Wetherill, Jack (27 April 2026). "Man arrested over fire at Milton Keynes LGBTQ+ club". PinkNews. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Police say Pink Punters fire no longer thought to be arson". Bucks Free Press. 30 April 2026. Retrieved 30 April 2026.
External links
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