Pupils Run Fizzy Drink Speakeasies in School

Enterprising pupils in a London school have reacted to a ban on fizzy drinks and fruit juice by smuggling in contraband and setting up "speakeasies", in a real-life version of Bugsy Malone.

Acland Burghley School in Camden, North London, recently decided to implement a "water only" policy in a bid to improve health, pupils' concentration and, as a result, their grades.

However, some entrepreneurial kids have resorted to sneaking in the banned substances and selling them on to fellow pupils at "speakeasies", just like under Prohibition in the US, which ran from around 1920-1933. However, instead of alcohol, the desired goods are cola, lemonade, orangeade and energy drinks.

Pupil Jake Phillips, 15, explained to the Evening Standard: "there is business potential now there's a gap in the market. Gangsters sold alcohol in America when that was banned. Prohibition always leads to supply and demand. That means anyone who sneaks it in can make a lot of money." Somewhere out there, Margaret Thatcher is tearful with pride.

With this level of illegal operation, it's surely simply a matter of time before a clash between rival "pushers" leads to a Supersoaker shootout in the playground. We'll be sure to keep you informed.

[via The Evening Standard]

Images: Rex