Gov 'feels obliged' to bring in alcohol code
Trade leaders were told the Government feels obliged to push ahead with its controversial mandatory alcohol retailing code during a top-level meeting this morning.
Officials from the Home Office, Department for Culture, Media & Sport and the Department of Health met representatives of Noctis, the British Beer & Pub Association and the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers to urge the Government to think twice about the plan. Pub companies including JD Wetherspoon and Mitchells & Butlers were also represented.
The code will see all pubs forced to abide by a set of strict conditions, including a crackdown on drinks promotions and having to serve drinks to smaller measures.
A number of separate conditions, including compulsory CCTV and doorstaff, could be imposed by councils on multiple venues in hotspots.
Noctis executive director Paul Smith said: "The clear view was that we had issue with the code, full stop.
"We were saying it wasn't good sense and shouldn't be creating extra level of local legislation when the Licensing Act is working perfectly well."
He said it was made clear that unintended consequences of the code could be more people drinking in unregulated environments from off-sales if the regulatory burden is too much for pubs.
"There were certain points where we gave the officials food for thought. Whether that will lead to a hard victory it's not clear."
He added: "I think they felt obligated [to proceed with the code] because they are involved in a process that's part of the Queen's Speech. We would argue that it's been overtaken by events, not least the industry doing a huge amount in terms of partnership initiatives."
BBPA director of pubs and leisure Martin Rawlings said: "I think getting the Government to listen on this is hugely difficult. I'm not encouraged at all, frankly."
Further meetings are planned before the consultation on the code ends on 5 August.
