Ripper and Co Southsea plans 'adapted' for 'better experience' after controversial concept discussed on Radio 4

The opening of the Southsea horror-themed bar has created a divide in the area due to its focus surrounding fictional and non-fictional characters.

Following the growing criticism, the owner of the new bar, Dan Swan, who also owns Rapscallions in Southsea, says he has ‘evolved’ and ‘adapted’ the concept to offer a ‘better experience’ for customers.

He has also changed the initial Facebook post announcing the new bar which originally said: ‘Jack has invited some new age horror guests along with some classic friends who will help you eat and drink the night away.’

This has now been altered to say: ‘We have invited some new age horror guests along with some classic friends who will help you eat and drink the night away.’

This adaptation of the bar and restaurant has been made to ensure ‘guests have a safe, enjoyable experience’.

Dan Swan said: ‘We have had meetings with the head Portsmouth councillor Steve Pitt and Southsea central councillor Charlotte Gerada and fully explained what the concept has evolved to and what we have adapted for a better experience of our plans going forward. We really wanted to keep this information secret but even with comments made there is still a misunderstanding of what we are trying to produce so we will let you know what to expect.

SEE ALSO: Immersive horror bar and restaurant named Ripper and Co Southsea will be coming to Portsmouth

‘Although there has been a lot of emphasis on the name of the venue, the venue is not a Jack the Ripper theme bar. We are a speakeasy classic horror cocktail bar and restaurant which will create an immersive interactive customer experience which we can’t wait to show people. The characters are all fictional.’

The bar was also discussed on Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour last week where Nuala McGovern welcomed Hallie Rubenhold, the author of ‘The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper’, onto the show to discuss the immersive concept.

Hallie said: ‘This is a real problem and it is a real problem with regards to how our culture understands Jack the Ripper and what it means, it’s a sort of joke, it’s a gag to some people, it’s a Halloween costume but the reality is this person, or persons, brutally murdered five, maybe more women, but certainly five we know of, five women, who were on the margins of society.’

The owner added: ‘We feel we have done everything in our capability to appease the concerns around our new bar without effecting its uniqueness. Our bookings go live this week to all who have signed up to the newsletter with general bookings opening next week.

‘We will continue to work with any authority to ensure our guests have a safe, enjoyable experience and to give out the best message to our followers. We look forward to working with Portsmouth’s city council and exploring the suggested partnerships with local women’s charities going forward to help raise awareness in the near future.’