Off-trade exclusion from Scottish Bill attacked

Licensing reformers in Scotland have come under fire for omitting off-licences from plans to rein in drinks promotions.

Speakers at a major conference examining the Scottish Licensing Bill praised the legislation for signalling an end to happy hours and excessive promotions, but questioned the exclusion of the off-trade.

Published earlier this month, the bill outlines plans to outlaw promotions which may encourage binge-drinking, and scrap Scotland's seven types of licence.

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, told delegates in Edinburgh: "It's difficult to be convinced that products such as two-litre bottles of cider retailing at £1.40, sold in off-licences, are designed for sipping over several evenings.

"It doesn't take a huge effort to make the connection between special promotions in off-sales and excessive drinking."

Gordon Macdiarmid, convenor of Glasgow Licensing Board, said he would be forced to introduce his own stricter controls on off-licences.

"In future, through the operational plan, we might be able to secure a 6pm closure - if that seems appropriate - an agreed product range and CCTV cameras," he said.

Speaking at the conference, Scotland's deputy minister for finance and public service reform, Tavish Scott, acknowledged that off-licences had not been tackled as harshly as the on-trade. He claimed: "We simply don't have the evidence to link binge-drinking with off-licences or supermarkets."

The subject of licensing standards officers - a unique part of the Scottish licensing reform - captured many delegates' interests and Mr Scott insisted that the Scottish Parliament would work with the licensed trade.

"They will only be able to report on parts of a licensing board area if they are very close to the people running premises there," he said.

• Scotland will be taking the lead in best practice in the licensed trade across the UK once the bill becomes law, according to the BII.

John McNamara, chief executive, said that while Scotland was demanding compulsory training for staff, compulsory training for licensing board members and refresher training, England didn't. He urged licensees to look at the training provisions in the bill as a chance to expand their business.