Oldham wants 75p minimum price
Hard-line restrictions on trading in Oldham will not be required if all bars agree to a minimum price of 75p a unit, council officials have told Panorama.
The pub trade, happy hours, minimum pricing and anti-social behaviour are all back in the spotlight in tonight's Panorama show The Truth About Happy Hour.
The BBC show visits Oldham, which is trying to introduce a series of blanket conditions on all premises including post office style queueing, no table service for drinks, seven days' notice given to the council for drinks promotions, a two drink limit at the bar and paid for policing.
But the council has said that these conditions may not be necessary if all pubs and bars agree to a minimum price of 75p a unit of alcohol — a move which is considered to be price fixing and therefore illegal by many.
Council officials have already been beaten by one licensee — Patrick Kelly of the Mess House who argued that there was no evidence of disorder at his premises.
"The price of alcohol became so cheap that it was attracting people who didn't have a lot of money to spend," said the council's licensing officer Tony Allen.
"That type of clientele was attracted to the town and that, we think, led to more violence and more issues concerning over-consumption."
Martin Diaper who runs Bar 62 tells the programme: "It scared me to death at first, until I looked at it properly. I think it will deter the premises that are doing the stupid drinks offers. They had to do something, it was going crazy."
Councillor Mark Allcock said: "It's about trying to get people to drink in moderation. What we are trying to do is work with the law
"We are trying to work with the licensees — and we are actually achieving that unit price."
The Government has previously stated it is against setting a national minimum price because it would be "unfair" on the average drinker.
BBC Panorama show The Truth About Happy Hour screens tonight (10 August) at 8.30pm on BBC One.
