Pub 'Happy Hour' Proposals Slammed

An apparent anomaly in proposed legislation to end so-called 'all-you-can-drink' promotions in licensed premises has been pointed out today.

As the Stormont Social Development Minister Alex Attwood related how he wants to end pub 'happy hours' and has opened an eight-week consultation on his draft proposals, a leading hotelier has hit out at the way supermarket 'booze' promotions are being ignored.

As members of the public are to be asked their views on whether alcohol promotions should be banned or not, hotelier Bill Wolsey said that supermarket promotions often saw beer sold at impossible prices.

He told BBC Radio Ulster listeners that he has personally witnessed supermarket promotions where booze is on sale at below the price he can buy it wholesale.

"It is being sold cheaper than bottled water in many cases," he fumed.

The trade body, the Federation of the Retail Licensed Trade NI - now renamed Pubs of Ulster - also said the proposals are do not go far enough.

Chief Executive Colin Neill said: "The biggest challenge is going to be that 70% of alcohol is drunk at home, although the bill says they are going to tackle on and off sales it still falls short of tackling the selling of alcohol below cost."

But excessive drinking is indeed costing the public purse heavily.

The Social Development Minister, Alex Attwood said: "My latest figure for the cost of alcohol abuse in NI - health, social, legal, policing costs is close to £700m a year and in those circumstances, I think this is a proportionate, reasonable and necessary step to take," having received backing from the Northern Ireland Executive for his proposals.

Key ingredients include an end to 'happy hours', all-you-can-drink for a fixed price, buy-one, get-one free and promotions targeted at specific people such as women drinking free or discounts for students.

However, while putting the 'on trade' very much in focus, Mr Attwood did mention supermarkets too and said: "My proposals will tackle pubs and clubs, supermarkets and other outlets which sell alcohol in an irresponsible manner. I am determined that this consultation process will be an important step towards helping combat alcohol abuse and related harm in Northern Ireland. "

The Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Bill was presented to the Assembly in June and is currently at Committee Stage.

New powers for the PSNI will include being able to close drinking establishments immediately when there is disorder and a new penalty points system for license holders when they are found to be operating outside the law.

Irresponsible

The Strangford DUP MLA Simon Hamilton has also welcomed news of the consultation on the introduction of legislation aimed at cracking down on the sale of alcohol through irresponsible promotions.

The Chair of the Assembly's Social Development Committee said: "The harmful effects of the misuse of alcohol in our society are well known.

"The cost to the health service, to our social fabric and to the police is huge and rising all the time. A major contributing factor is undoubtedly the irresponsible behaviour of some alcohol retailers.

"The sort of drinks promotions we see in some bars give no thought to the health of consumers or the impact subsequent anti-social behaviour can have.

"They are designed to sell as much alcohol as possible in as short a time as possible regardless of the consequences," he said, noting that he welcomes the consultation on new legislation aimed at cracking down reckless drinks promotions.

"I was disappointed earlier this year when the Minister introduced the Licensing Bill and failed to address some of these issues whilst simultaneously proposing to increase the number of late nights registered clubs can open.

"I felt that on one hand increasing access to alcohol whilst on the other failing to address the real problem with alcohol misuse was wrong," he concluded.

(BMcC/KMcA)