Trade in limbo over new laws

Costly new laws forcing pubs to offer smaller drink measures take effect next week - but the trade remains in limbo over how they will be enforced and for how long.

And some licensees even appear unaware the rules are coming into force.

Under the second part of the mandatory code, taking effect on Friday (October 1), pubs will have to offer a 125ml measure of wine and the choice of a 25ml or 35ml spirit measure. Pubs must also have an age verification policy - such as Challenge 21 - in place.

But the trade is still waiting for guidance from the Home Office on how the laws will be implemented.

"There is no guidance whatsoever," said Martin Rawlings, director of pubs & leisure at the British Beer & Pub Association.

"They (the Home Office) seem to be too busy inventing new laws for pubs to worry about the ones coming in now." Rawlings said he only knew of one or two councils that had given any advice to pubs.

Confusion was also reigning over how strictly the laws will be enforced. This is off the back of the coalition signalling it could repeal part, or all, of the code in its shake-up of the licensing laws.

Kate Nicholls, communications director at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) admitted there was "lot of confusion". "The Home Office is saying they could be repealed, but we don't know what that means at this stage."

The group has previously estimated the second part of the code could cost each pub £800.

Nicholls said the main costs involved will be training staff to familiarise them with the rules. Under the laws, staff must make customers aware that a 125ml measure is available. "They are likely to have to deal with a few customer complaints too," she said.

Pubs will also have to change their menus and price lists to include new prices for a 125ml measure, Nicholls pointed out.

Paul Smith, executive director at Noctis, said he was expecting guidance from the Home Office, but it had yet to emerge. "It all seems very late and quite muddled", he said. With the legislation coming and then possibly being repealed, Smith said the trade was "getting the worst of both worlds".

The first part of the code came into effect in April, which saw irresponsible promotions banned and pubs forced to offer free tap water.

Licensees are also frustrated by the lack of information about the new stage. Alan Sendall, of the Royal William, in Lincoln, said he had been waiting for information about the code, but nothing had come. "We can't seem to get any information about it," he said.

Joe Cussens, of the Marlborough Tavern, said he had no knowledge of the second part of the code. "This is something we'll have to sort out and make sure the staff are briefed," he said.

A Home Office spokesman said: "We are committed to tackling problem premises by reversing the negative impact of the failed "cafe culture" and recently consulted on a range of proposals to tackle alcohol related crime and disorder.

"We are now carefully considering the responses and will publish the final proposals shortly."