Off-trade the bigger concern for 24-hour drinking, says doctor

A leading doctor has admitted that it is the off-trade that is exploiting the new licensing laws and encouraging binge-drinking more than pubs.

Professor Ian Gilmore, president of the Royal College of Physicians, has been a major critic of the new licensing regime, claiming it "flies in the face of common sense" and predicting an "epidemic" of alcohol-related violence.

However, speaking at the Promoting Responsible Drinking Conference in London last week, he admitted that "24-hour licensing is not about pubs and clubs, it's about the off-licences".

His comments follow the launch of The Publican's Dump the Deals campaign aimed at stopping supermarkets from using alcohol as a loss leader.

He has also called for tax on alcohol to be increased to try to discourage heavy drinking among young people.

"It's incontrovertible that the price and availability of alcohol are key factors in why we drink so much as a nation," Professor Gilmore added.

Ben Baumberg, of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, suggested the pub trade work with health campaigners to tackle the issue.

"The pub trade's hatred of supermarket pricing is one way we could come together," he said.

Licensees came out in support of the doctor's views.

Duncan Gray, licensee at the Duke of Cumberland, in Barham, Kent, said: "Something needs to be done, drastically.

"I can see the death of the English pub because people are opting to stay at home."

Mark Hastings, director of communications at the British Beer & Pub Association, said: "These comments show there is definitely a growing consensus on the issue of supermarket pricing and there is no doubt that it contributes to binge-drinking.

"Supermarkets need to fall in line with the on-trade by introducing a code on responsible promotions."