Trade attacks government's draft alcohol plans

Tough new government plans to further regulate the on-trade have been attacked by the industry.

A draft code of practice, released to trade groups, sets out a ban on promotions such as happy hours, 'free drinks for women' and 'all you can drink' offers.

it also includes tough new rules on drinks labelling, free tastings, noise levels and staff training.

The draft code says that all retailers should include government guidelines on safe alcohol levels in all "promotional material" and "all other public communications".

It also states that during tastings opened drinks must not be left unattended, while noise levels from music and entertainment must not exceed 70 decibels.

Training must be carried out by an "accredited training provider" or in-house schemes must gain "accredited status", the code also states.

But Danny Scott, licensee at Rick's Bar in Greenwich, South London, criticised the plans saying it was a "one-size fits all" approach.

"They have gone bang over the top with this," he said. "There is already enough regulation in place. We need a more targeted approach."

The draft code of practice appears to be a response to the findings of a report by auditors KPMG earlier this year, which found a small minority of high-volume late-night venues breaching the trade's voluntary code of practice on responsible retailing.

Paul Smith, executive director at late-night operator trade group Noctis, branded the proposals "concerning". "They have taken that small sample of venues to represent the state of the nation," he said.

He also questioned why the code was so heavily weighted towards the on-trade, as opposed to the off-trade. "There are around 15 different items relating specifically to the on-trade but very few relating to the off-trade," he said.

The document does state that it is not "government policy" and a "work in progress", but is designed to give "some idea of what a code of practice might contain".

Meanwhile the deadline for responses to the government's Safe, Sensible, Social consultation closes tomorrow (October 14).