EU to call time on pub happy hours?

Pub happy hours could be banned if a new European directive calling for the end of price-led promotions on alcoholic drinks is passed by the European Parliament.

The proposals would mean a ban on happy hours and other price promotions that place smaller operators at a competitive disadvantage. It follows concern by some tenants and lessees that they are unable to compete with the prices charged by large managed house operators.

The new proposal, which is being voted on by MEPs at the beginning of next month (July), would not become law in the UK until at least 2006. But there is still some concern over how it would effect the trade.

The amendment to the Sales Promotion Directive, put forward by Scandinavian Green MEP Heidi Anneli Hautala, is believed to have received support from some British Labour MEPs.

Crime prevention charity the National Association for the Care and Rehabilitation of Offenders, supports happy hour restrictions. It said: "Cut-price drinks promotions where people have only a short space of time to drink at a reduced price can encourage binge-drinking." But the organisation does not consider that normal price-promotions should be banned.

Mark Hastings, spokesperson for the British Beer and Pub Association, said: "We believe any move like this would be in breach of European and UK competition law."

Meanwhile, pub company JD Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said it was not currently concerned about the new legislation. He said: "Lots of things come out of Europe that are pie in the sky."