BarTalk

Are the supermarkets finally coming to their senses on cheap alcohol?

Dave Daly

The Castle, Blackpool

I suppose every little helps - but you've got to ask whether this is enough and whether it's too little too late. The pub trade faces grave problems - and cheap supermarket drink is one of the main reasons behind the crisis facing the trade. A growing number of managed houses are on their knees and I think Government should have moved to address the issue of cheap booze a long time ago.

Anita Adams

The Golden Slipper, York

It's time the supermarkets did something, but whether this sudden move to address the problem will have an effect is anyone's guess. Big stores have realised the Government, pub trade, health lobby and others are ganging up against them and collectively decided to do something to demonstrate they have to take some responsibility for the social problems caused by cut-price alcohol.

Ian Rigg

The Taps,

Lytham,

Lancashire

The big stores will improve their profit-line by these moves, but that's about all. Supermarket drink will still be cheaper than anywhere else and hold the same magnet for binge drinkers and young people. At the end of the day, alcohol should be sold at a fair price because it's not right that there should be such a huge variation in cost between the off and on-trades.

Mike Fallon

The Theatre Bar, Barrow-in-Furness,

Cumbria

It's interesting that these stores have made announcements at the same time - clearly something has gone on behind the scenes. They obviously got their heads together and decided the pressure has got so intense that they have to start making the right noises. I hope it improves the situation - here in Barrow cheap off-licence drink is causing a lot of problems but the pub usually gets the blame.