ALMR lashes out at 'arrogant' Government

The Government is "arrogant and out of touch" for pressing ahead with a mandatory code on alcohol retailing, according to an irate Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR).

Home secretary Jacqui Smith unveiled revised plans for a mandatory code today including conditions allowing councils to place blanket bans on happy hours, bulk buy promotions and installation of CCTV (Compulsory Challenge 21 plan shelved in mandatory code​).

Breaching the code could mean a fine of up to £20,000, loss of licence, or even six months in prison.

Research carried out by the ALMR into the possible contents of a national mandatory code suggests that it will cost all businesses just under £1000 a year to comply.

"It simply beggars belief that the Home Secretary is still prepared to put businesses and livelihoods on the line by pushing through this Code. Last year, we lost six pubs a day and over 17,000 jobs to the economy, now Jacqui Smith plans to sacrifice more on the altar of red tape," said ALMR chief executive Nick Bish.

"The Home Secretary is being disingenuous when she claims these proposals will not affect the responsible majority — they will affect the vast majority of law-abiding businesses and consumers every bit as much as the irresponsible minority. For many, these additional costs may well prove unsustainable."

The ALMR did, however, welcome the report's tentative proposals to tackle irresponsible promotions in the off-trade.

British Beer and Pub Association director of communications Mark Hastings added: "We have always supported measures designed to tackle and eradicate irresponsible drinks' promotions.

"However, at a time of increasing pub closures, with 39 pubs closing every week, these proposals for further red tape are disproportionate and excessive. They will place additional cost burdens on struggling pubs."

Off-trade​

Off-trade representatives hit out at the proposed restrictions on promotions. "The proposed attack on shop promotions is a dangerous step," warned the British Retail Consortium director general Stephen Robertson.

"Allowing local authorities to single out individual stores and their customers for promotions bans would deny people access to value and could undermine local grocery-market competition.

"Multi-packs are bought as part of a customer's regular weekly shop and responsibly consumed at home over a period. They are not bought by young people on a night out. There is no evidence that bulk sales are linked to disorder."