Trade lashes out at Oldham 'victory'
The pub trade may spend the next three years fighting against draconian Oldham-style blanket restrictions because the reality of the situation has been misrepresented in the national media.
That is the fear of one trade leader as the pub trade gears up for yet another bashing on BBC's Panorama programme The Truth About Happy Hour this evening.
The BBC show visits Oldham, which is claiming victory on its war on binge drinking with a 200% cut in disorder, since its proposals to introduce post office style queuing, a ban on 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.
It is also trying to get 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.
However, Noctis executive director Paul Smith said the reality of the situation in Oldham was far from that being reported — on Panorama and in the News of the World — with just two of 22 bars agreeing to Post Office style queues.
"To claim it as a major victory is puerile and dangerous to the trade," slammed Smith, whose interview with Panorama has been cut from the show.
"My fear is that other councils will now look at this and try a similar approach. We could spend the next two or three years fighting this because the reality of the situation has been misrepresented.
"It has been a negotiated settlement. Some have agreed to put doorstaff on and carry out a risk assessment of drinks promotions but nothing unreasonable.
Noctis, which is in favour of a minimum price, also told Oldham Council that setting a minimum price of 75p would be considered illegal under current competition legislation.
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.
Noctis has been influential in setting up a Best Bar None scheme in the town to promote and reward best practice. "Best Bar None is a far more proven way to reduce disorder," he said. " Oldham needed a good news story after all the recent negative coverage and it looks like the BBC has given it to them.
"We must have accuracy though or the trade could be fighting similar conditions for years to come."
BBC Panorama show The Truth About Happy Hour screens tonight (10 August) at 8.30pm on BBC One.
