A man has been arrested after a major fire destroyed Pink Punters, one of the UK’s best-known LGBTQIA+ nightclubs.
Emergency services were called to the Milton Keynes venue at about 2am on 26 April after reports of a serious blaze. Staff and patrons were evacuated from the building, along with nearby residents, as the fire took hold. Reports suggest the club was packed on what had been a busy night.
Thames Valley Police said a 51-year-old man from Milton Keynes has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life. He remains in custody while enquiries continue. Police have not yet confirmed the cause of the fire and have urged the public not to speculate about any possible motive.
Chief Superintendent Emma Baillie, local commander for Milton Keynes, described the blaze as significant and said a large number of people had to be evacuated. She praised staff at the venue for acting quickly and effectively to make sure everyone got out safely. No injuries have been reported.
Pink Punters owner Frank McMahon confirmed the full extent of the damage, saying the building had been “completely destroyed”. But he also stressed his relief that nobody was hurt.
“Whilst I am devastated to say that the building itself has been completely destroyed, I am deeply relieved, grateful and proud to confirm that no staff or customers were harmed, and everybody went home safely,” he said.
McMahon added that while the venue itself had been lost, its community had not.
“We have lost a building, but we have not lost our community,” he said, describing Pink Punters as “a place where generations of people have felt safe, welcomed and able to be themselves”.
Pink Punters had been operating for more than 30 years and was a major fixture of LGBTQIA+ nightlife in the region, hosting club nights, drag shows and community events. For many people, it was more than just a nightclub — it was a rare and enduring queer space. That final point is an inference based on the club’s long history and McMahon’s description of its role.
