Middlesbro' backs minimum pricing

by MA reporter The minimum pricing scheme in Middlesbrough has been given the thumbs up from 60 licensees at a Pub Watch meeting in the town. The controversial scheme was introduced after police voiced concern about disorder problems in the town centre getting out of hand. Licensing sergeant Paul Higgins said: "It was one of our best Pub Watch turnouts, and there were no problems raised over the scheme, and no one said it wasn't working. "We were aware of a couple of the 60 or so pubs and clubs in the town centre who were not co-operating, but one of these has now come on board and the other is being monitored. "It's early days yet, but we are happy with how it is going so far, and it has been very good." Middlesbrough started its minimum price-fixing scheme for town-centre on-licensed premises at the beginning of May ­ after police described disorder in the town centre as "well beyond acceptable limits". Sgt Paul Higgins added: "The alcohol misuse problem in the centre of Middlesbrough needed to be sorted out, and our re-quest to all licensees to co-operate on minimum pricing was needed. "Now underway we will be able to monitor the situation in the town centre and see if it improves." The scheme sets a minimum price of £1 for spirits and £1.50 for pints and bottles in all the premises participating. Meanwhile, the National Association of Licensed House Managers (NALHM) has thrown its weight behind fixing minimum pricing for alcohol. National officer Peter Love said: "This is not about unfair competition, it is about social responsibility, and unless some action is taken to bring some sanity into this cut-price war this industry will fall into disrepute. "The proposal to stagger closing hours to hopefully reduce the hundreds of young people spilling out onto the streets of our towns and cities is being seriously undermined by these lunatic promotions." Love will be making representations to the Office of Fair Trading in support of such schemes.