The problems of alcohol abuse in Merseyside, England, are well-known, with a study by Liverpool John Moores University showing the city to have the highest level of hospital admissions in the UK linked to alcohol.
However, Liverpool is also “the recovery capital,” according to Carl Alderdice, manager of Brink, in Parr Street, which is Britain’s first “dry” bar.
The bar, which has been open since the end of September, is a social enterprise run by a limited company.
“We are self-funded, and invest in helping people with drug and alcohol addictions,” said Alderdice, who has years of experience running bars in Liverpool.
The original initiative for the bar came from the charity Action on Addiction, which saw the impact of alcohol abuse on homelessness. It is linked to the Sharp recovery service in the city.
“I was originally brought in through a consultancy role and was asked about the feasibility of a dry bar,” Alderdice said. While Liverpool has many cafes, “the difference is that we actively say we’re a dry bar.”
Brink’s customers are not just those who are in recovery and want an alcohol-free venue, but also many who want to avoid what Alderdice terms the “testosterone, drunk and drug-fueled club and bar scene.”
Single women like Brink, as they feel safe there because of the lack of alcohol. It is also popular with members of the Muslim community.
Stressing Liverpool’s position as “recovery capital,” he points to the 33 AA groups meeting in the city each week, as well as many meetings of Narcotics Anonymous and Cocaine Anonymous.
Brink has another role; in addition to providing a social outlet for those wishing to avoid alcohol, it has been a means for those in recovery to re-enter the workforce.
Many of the staff have had issues with alcohol in the past that have prevented them from working.
The staff are trained as “recovery champions” who are able to listen to those with a similar history. There are meeting rooms and a counselor who visits regularly.
Alderdice feels that the bar is breaking down stereotypes of those in recovery and sees potential to expand to other cities. If it stops one alcohol-related admission per week to the city’s hospitals, he feels they will have made an important contribution to Liverpool.
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