Pink Punters
 What remains of the nightclub in July 2026. | |
  Pink Punters Location in Buckinghamshire | |
| Address | Watling Street, Bletchley |
|---|---|
| Location | Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Coordinates | 51°59′50″N 0°42′43″W / 51.997225°N 0.711870°W |
| Owner | Pink Punters Ltd |
| Operator | Pink Punters Ltd |
| Type | Nightclub |
| Construction | |
| Closed | 2026 |
| Website | |
| pinkpunters | |
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Pink Punters was an LGBT+ nightclub on Watling Street in the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, England. Long described as "one of the best‑known LGBTQ+ nightlife venues outside London", it operated across three floors. The venue was destroyed by fire in April 2026,[1] an incident later ruled accidental.
History
Described as "one of the best-known LGBTQ+ nightlife venues outside London",[2] the nightclub stood on Watling Street in the Bletchley area of Milton Keynes.[3] It operated across three floors,[4] with multiple bars and a "quiet lounge with open fire".[5] Pink Punters held 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]
In late October 2021, an alleged case of needle spiking involving a female party-goer was reported at the venue, although police found nothing to suggest that such an incident had occurred.[9]
In the early hours of 26 April 2026, patrons were evacuated following a fire.[10] Twelve fire crews from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service attended the scene.[11] Just hours earlier, another suspicious fire had been reported at St Martin's Church, Fenny Stratford.[12] Investigators examined possible links between the two incidents.[13] A Milton Keynes-based charity offered support to those affected.[14] A man was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.[15]
On 30 April 2026, following investigations by Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the nightclub fire was ruled accidental, ruling out third-party involvement. The man previously arrested was eliminated from enquiries.[16]
The same family has owned the plot of land on which the club stood for 36 years.[17] The owners hope the nightclub will return in some form in the future.[18]
References
- ↑ "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". 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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ Gordon-Farleigh, Neve; Danie, Richard (26 April 2026). "LGBT+ nightclub fire near Milton Keynes leads to arson arrest". BBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
- ↑ "Fire at Milton Keynes LGBTQ+ club Pink Punters was an accident, police say". Pink News. 1 May 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.