Time to stop the violence: Studio 146 owner speaks out after tragic Paramount Nightclub death hits "too close to home"

A tragic incident that left a young family grieving and WA’s nightclub industry in shock after three months of “hell” has prompted a heartfelt plea from Albany. Paramount nightclub manager Giuseppe Raco died in Royal Perth Hospital on Monday after an alleged one-punch attack in Northbridge on Saturday. It is understood the 40-year-old suffered a brain haemorrhage after he was punched and knocked to the ground while trying to break up a violent brawl about 4.30am. A 26-year-old Perth man has been charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm. Mr Raco’s death has robbed his pregnant wife Vincenza Raco of a loving husband and their two-year-old daughter, Valentina, of her adoring father. For Albany’s Studio 146 owner Jason Pages, the Raco family’s story hit “a little too close to home”. “Over the last three months the industry has been through hell, venues being closed and all hospitality workers have taken reduced earnings,” he said. “That family has no doubt been through this ... then this has happened to them. “It’s horrific.” Mr Pages has decided that half of the door takings from his Stirling Terrace nightclub this Saturday will be donated to the Raco family. “I’ve never met the man but I've heard nothing but good things about him,” Mr Pages said. “In an effort to ease the burden on his family in a small way we will be donating half of our door charge this Saturday to his family to lighten their load.” Because of COVID-19 restrictions, Studio 146 — which is licenced for 329 patrons — is able to accommodate 160 people at any one time. Mr Pages said longer waiting lines and the anxiety about COVID-19 had caused “angst” among revellers since the nightclub reopened a fortnight ago. “It’s a bit uneasier out there than it has been in the past,” Mr Pages said. “Managing people and their expectations is a challenging thing at the moment.” He had a simple message for people who would cause trouble: “stay home”. “If you come out, just come out and have fun and be sensible,” he said.

Time to stop the violence: Studio 146 owner speaks out after tragic Paramount Nightclub death hits "too close to home"

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