Store to join responsible drink scheme

A supermarket chain is set tobe the first off-trade partner involved in Manchester's City Centre Safe scheme. The move will be warmly welcomed by the trade because it shows the off-trade taking practical action to promote responsible drinking.

Diageo has been in discussions with an unnamed supermarket chain and Greater Manchester Police about launching a pilot scheme in its city centre branches due to begin in October.

The exact details of the trial have yet to be nailed down, but it is believed it will be based on a proof-of-age scheme. "The objective is to get younger adults used to being asked for ID," said head of social responsibility at Diageo, Kate Blakely.

PC Paul Acton of the City Centre Safe unit said there had always been plans to include the off-trade in the scheme. "We are hoping to involve the off-trade in varying degrees by advising and encouraging them to ask for ID," he said. "In the long term, we may even run a Best Bar None style award for the off-trade."

The Manchester City Centre Safe campaign was set up to promote responsible and safe drinking in the city. Measures include posters, taxi marshals and bus wardens, high-profile visits to pubs by police, Trading Standards and the Fire Brigade, and the Best Bar None awards to promote responsible retailing.

Police also pay special attention to a list of the 10 worst pubs in terms of crime, disorder and binge drinking, working with them to solve problems.