Martin hits back at Richmond licensees
Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin has hit back at claims he is acting irresponsibly by not signing up to a local council's scheme to curb binge drinking.
In a stinging attack Mr Martin has claimed that, rather than aiming to curb alcohol-related violence, pubs in South-West London are "forcing up prices in the area to the detriment of the public".
Last week thepublican.com revealed that licensees in the Richmond and Twickenham area were furious with Mr Martin after the majority of them had signed up to the voluntary code to stop "aggressive" discounting - in a bid to tackle alcohol-related crime and disorder.
Police say crime outside licensed premises has dropped by 25 per cent since the scheme began last month. Licensees hope it can be reduced even more, if the minority of pubs who have not yet signed up to the scheme jump on board.
But Mr Martin claims the code is "in contravention of competition laws" and falls foul of advice given by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT). Mr Martin added: "We have written to the local councillor supporting our own more comprehensive licensing policy and we intend to suggest that this document is implemented, rather than the document supported by the licensee of the Cabbage Patch, one of the most expensive pubs in Britain."
Frank Dupree, licensee of the Cabbage Patch in Twickenham, said: "I am one of the most expensive pubs in Twickenham, not Britain, but I'm also one of the busiest. Our Code of Conduct is not about price or competition, but about running pubs in a respectful and professional manner. I'm staggered that Wetherspoon is refusing to sign up - I think it's important for everyone to sign up."
A spokesman for Richmond Council told thepublican.com: "In the absence of legislation we can't make people do this but we firmly believe that price discounting and happy hours encourage people to get hammered quickly and cheaply.
"We can't force Tim Martin to sign up but we can say to him 'look if you're running a responsible business in our borough abide by the wishes of the police, the council and other licensees'".
Related articles:
JDW blasted for not joining responsible drinking scheme (4 November 2004)
