Health campaigner backs pubs
An influential alcohol health campaigner has urged the Government to act more favourably towards well-run pubs.
Alcohol Concern chief executive Don Shenker offered to work alongside the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) and think tank the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) to investigate ways to help responsible pubs survive.
He was speaking in Parliament at the launch of IPPR's report, funded by Camra, into the social value of community pubs.
Shenker said Alcohol Concern is "not an anti-pub organisation. What we are in favour of is responsible drinking, retailing and selling of alcohol.
"We want to be able to encourage Government to be tough on irresponsible pubs and more favourable to well-run pubs.
"I think we do want to see a situation where pubs that are well run are incentivised so those that are not well run are from prevented from doing so."
Shenker said most irresponsible practice in the on-trade doesn't occur in community pubs. He criticised some on-trade deals such as all-inclusives and free-shot-with-a-pint offers.
Shenker added: "We share the concern around the high degree of pub closures in the country and want to see protection for pubs that are well run.
"I really want to support the community pubs. It's important to support a pub where alcohol is being regulated; the problem with drinking at home is it isn't regulated."
Shenker urged pubs to offer smaller servings of drinks. He said producers should lower the alcohol content of drinks so people can consume the same volume but take less alcohol.
