Trade group backs Scots off-trade clampdown

The Scottish Licenced Trade Association has come out in support of the government's controversial proposals to get tough with the off-trade over alcohol sales.

Chief executive, Paul Waterson, said it was high time the government stepped in to regulate large supermarkets, who were not taking the Licensing Act seriously.

"Nobody wants to see changes like this" he said, "but if supermarkets continue to totally disregard their responsibilities under the Licensing Act then they are going to incur the wrath of politicians.

The Scottish Parliament last night rejected the SNP's proposals to raise the legal age from 18 to 21, for those buying alcohol from off-sales premises - but the SNP still hopes to push the proposal through.

Waterson added: "They have asked for it. The supermarkets need to be strongly regulated because they won't take the problems they are causing seriously.

"If the government doesn't do something we will see an explosion in price cutting, and there is a definite link between price and abuse."

As the largest sellers of alcohol and facing less regulations, Waterson wants to see supermarkets accept the same level of responsibility as many pubs have done.

He also called for separate aisles and tills to be used for the sale of alcohol, and responsible marketing campaigns.

The SNP is plannign to announce a Bill containing this and other proposals, including minimum pricing, a social responsibility fee for alcohol retailers and the banning of irresponsible advertising, by the end of the year.