Regent backs price schemes

by The PMA Team Regent Inns has claimed that minimum pricing schemes are operating in three more English towns ­ Durham, Leicester and Nottingham. Previously it was thought that pricing schemes in England were confined to Bournemouth and Middlesbrough. The "newly unearthed" schemes are being run on an "informal basis" but Regent Inns has admitted it is ensuring no drink is sold for less than £1.50 in the three towns. In Nottingham, for example, the scheme is run via the local Pubwatch organisation although there is no obligation on licensees to tow the line. In Scotland, minimum pricing schemes ­ which aim to reduce anti-social behaviourby imposing a bottom pricefor drinks ­ are working successfully in Dundee and Perth. The Office of Fair Trading has been examining the legality of minimum price schemes for the past six months. Regent Inns chief executive Stephen Haupt said he thought the schemes in Durham, Nottingham and Leicester were reasonable, adding: " We actively support minimum pricing policies in towns where we think it is appropriate.