Early Day Motion on off-trade alcohol prices wins support from The Publican and CAMRA

PRICE OF ALCOHOL IN SUPERMARKETS AND OFF-LICENCES: Early Day Motion (495) John Grogan has proposed:

That this House believes that the substantial price differential between alcohol sold in pubs and that sold in the off-trade is exacerbating the problem of binge drinking; continues to support the pub trade's efforts to curb irresponsible drinking and promotions; and urges supermarkets and off-licences to follow the example of pubs and act to end irresponsible drinks promotions and agree not to use alcohol as a loss leader on their premises.

Details at pims

The Publican is writing to all major supermarket chains as well as urging licensees to get behind the motion. 

Publicans are fed up, according to the magazine:    

• They are fed up with selling beer at more than six times the price you would find it in a supermarket
• Fed up with taking the blame for drunk and disorderly behaviour caused by the consumption of cheap off-trade booze
• Fed up with seeing pubs being held to account for irresponsible promotions when the off-trade is not.

Details here.

A survey before Christmas by CAMRA revealed that in some supermarkets Fosters and Carling was available for the equivalent of just 54p a pint - or 16p before tax. CAMRA is also calling for urgent action to prevent promotions that serve to exacerbate the problem of binge drinking.