Pub, licensing and trade news
Supermarkets promote alcopops more than any other drink, reports the Telegraph. A survey found 47 per cent of alcopops had been on offer in the past year, compared to only 20 per cent of red wines and 10 per cent of after-dinner tipples such as port. The Health Secretary recently called on supermarkets to take further action on front of store sales as part of the controversial Responsibilty Deal.
Recent news from the Morning Advertiser (MA) includes a report on tensions between police and licensees in Yorkshire over an alleged “abuse” of power relating to closure orders. The issues are reported to be arising from a Home Office initiative known as the Alcohol Support Visits programme which includes police training and practical demonstrations through visiting licensed venues.
The Government plans a cap on the forthcoming late night levy to prevent councils charging excessively high fees. Peter Coulson proposes a separation of responsibility between alcohol licensing and public entertainment. New posts on the Politics of Drinking blog explore initiatives for pubs as libraries and a comment on the recent 1 million a year alcohol-related hospital admissions stats.
Another Tesco price glitch caused disarray with Security guards called upon to control shoppers after a computer error cuts cost of beers to £4 for 24 bottles. Budweiser has been named as the first US sponsor of the FA Cup in a three-year deal. Trading Standards in Swindon have been cracking down on counterfeit alcohol, including fake bottles of Jacobs Creek wine, reports the BBC. The WSTA is launching a fraud prevention unit to crackdown on fraud in the wine and spirits sectors.
Other news and reports
Binge drinking damages young people's memory according to new research, the Telegraph reports. In another story, young people 'should avoid alcohol until 24'. See guidance and reports on alcohol and young people here. As alcohol-related hospital admissions rise to record levels, the experts stress it’s ordinary drinkers who may be risking their health, reports The Press and Journal UK.
In Ireland, supermarkets and off-licence sales now account for a third of all alcohol sales, reports the Irish Examiner.
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