Scots MP targets supermarket bargain booze

The Scottish Parliament is considering targeting cheap supermarket booze promotions in a bid to beat binge-drinking.

Liberal Democrat MSP Donald Gorrie has tabled a motion in the parliament condemning supermarkets for selling beer, wine and spirits at rock-bottom prices.

Shops in Scotland were criticised during the World Cup for selling beer cheaper than bottled water.

the vast majority of alcohol sold in this country is sold through supermarkets​Paul Waterson, Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

Mr Gorrie's motion calls on the Scotish Executive to "encourage supermarkets to end their sales promotions of alcohol and agree with them arrangements to remove the incentive for customers to buy larger quantities of alcohol than their normal consumption because of very low prices"​.

The motion has been backed by licensees after the Executive cracked down on alcohol promotions in pubs without restricting similar promotions in supermarkets.

Paul Waterson, of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, told the Scotsman: "When one considers that the vast majority of alcohol sold in this country is sold through supermarkets then the controls should be more than they are in other parts of the industry."​

We have brought this story back to the top because of the comments we've had. To comment click the link below.​

To comment on this or any other story email us by clicking this link​

Your Comments​Ken Nason​ via email 26/07/2006"Well well, don't the wheels of government grind slow. So this MP has suddenly discovered what licensees have been shouting since the "binge drinking" problem suddenly became politically expedient to social engineering.

The problem has been caused not by normal pubs and clubs but by the big corporations who saw the town and city centres as somewhere they could make massive profits from pouring as much drink down youngsters throats as fast as possible and the big supermarkets who saw alcohol sales as a legitamate loss leader.

Is it any wonder it has taken this long for someone to speak out against these companies who, I am sure on close examination, will be contributers or supporters of president Blair and as such were not censured for their blatant pillage of traditional licensing values in this country.

In stead it was the licensees who worked responsibly and legally who were made to pay the price of greater controls and stricter laws while the fat cats walk away with full pockets and happy shareholders leaving an industry ravaged and sucked dry.

Noew the feeble voice of reason ries in Scotland.

Sorry mate youre too late they've made their millions and gone.

About time those in power started listening to the real people of this trade rather than the pseudo politically motivated "trade representatives " that only government recognise."

Peter Harvey​ via email 27/07/2006"Well said that man Ken Nason he said what everyone in the pub and club trade has been saying for ages, our government never listen to the rational, hard working, law abiding licensee, its about time we had some justice and those people who blame it all on the pubs and clubs went away, and let common sense run England before theres nothing left to run."

Mark Schooling​ via email 27/07/2006"It is about time that a government that is so concerned with our health looked at super cheap beer in our supermarkets. As a landlord I am bomb barded by laws and best practise that wants me to sell liquor in a responsible way and yet supermarkets sell it cheaper than I can buy it. The situation especailly at the moment with pubs being targetted again by sting operations.

Give us all a break, please."

Kay Sebburn​ via email 27/07/2006"If pubs are to be stopped doing happy hour, cut-price offers etc., in a bid to stop binge drinking then it should also apply to supermarkets, off-licences and any others! This may help the smaller pubs to survive against them aswell."

Ken Staniforth FBII​ via email 27/07/2006"HOORAY!!! At last SOMEBODY can see the root cause of binge drinking, that cause being the over consumption of cheap alcohol bought at the supermarkets prior to hitting the town. Licensees have been telling the police, councils and government for years about the problem which, by the way, is a major source of the under age drinking problem also. It is a sad indictment on the state of our country when licensees have been over-taxed, red-tape burdened and unjustly accused of causing the mass of alcohol related problems on our streets. Maybe they should concentrate on how to make the time fit the crime instead of relentlessly pursuing the licensed trade."

Gofa1​ via email, 28/07/2006Cans and bottles are to found in my car park during and after permitted hours especially over the weekend. None of which I sell incidentally. This has been going on for over twenty years. I've excepted this phenomena as being part of modern day avoidance of pub price culture which has been supported by the availabilty of very cheap booze from all its sources.