Minimum price bylaw details revealed

Related tags Greater manchester Price Management Manchester

A bid to bring in minimum pricing on alcohol across Greater Manchester, using a bylaw, has moved a step closer as detailed plans have been published....

A bid to bring in minimum pricing on alcohol across Greater Manchester, using a bylaw, has moved a step closer as detailed plans have been published.

The draft report, from Greater Manchester Health Commission, says alcohol should not be sold for less than 50p a unit.

And under the plans, venues using a loyalty scheme, or running offers that gives customers the chance to buy alcohol through a "discount scheme" would also be banned.

A breach of the bylaw would result in a maximum fine of £500 for any supermarket, off-licence, or pub. The minimum price of 50p would also be reviewed annually to reflect inflation.

However Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association, said the plan was not a "workable scheme".

"As they say their "ultimate objective" is to use the issue to push for national legislation," she said. "It's common sense that locally set minimum prices will never work. What we really need is a workable scheme that tackles below cost selling that applies UK-wide."

She added: "This whole process does raise worrying concerns about the way these councils are approaching the issue. A great deal of time and resources have been put into discussing the issue over many months, and other councils are being encouraged to join in.

"Given that the document also admits the proposal is essentially a "campaigning tool" to change national policy, and that a legal challenge would be a strong possibility, you would have to question whether Manchester's local taxpayers are getting good value for money from this whole process."

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) executive board will meet on Friday to discuss the report.

Related topics Legislation

Property of the week

Follow us

Pub Trade Guides

View more