Pubs 'don't get credit they deserve' claims new Drinkaware CEO

In an exclusive interview with the Publican’s Morning Advertiser (PMA) Hindal said that the pub industry “gets a bad press and unfairly so” surrounding the issue of irresponsible drinking.

She spoke out about her concerns for young people’s drinking behaviour, particularly the “prevalent” culture of “pre-loading” on alcohol before going on a night out, but praised pubs’ approach to promoting sensible drinking.

She said: “What I’ve seen over the past five to 10 years is the pub industry taking a really responsible approach.

“We’ve seen far less of what we might consider irresponsible promotion, in terms of pricing.

“It’s in nobody’s interest to have people drinking to the point of drunkenness, and the pub industry recognises that, but it doesn’t always get the credit for it.”

She expressed gratitude for the pub industry’s support in promoting Drinkaware’s advice from its annual Why Let Good Times Go Bad campaigns, including alternating drinking alcohol with a soft drink and pacing yourself by drinking with a meal.

She said: “If people are going to a pub and seeing those messages that really helps. It absolutely comes down to the degree to which people are better informed, whether they are able to take some steps to moderate their behaviour and are in an environment where they can drink safely, and I think that’s what pubs offer.

“Drinkaware sits in this really unique position between industry, Government and health bodies and we can play a facilitating role in bringing that together.”

Hindal spoke to the PMA after Drinkaware’s annual conference, which this year was on the topic of ‘Parents, young people and drinking’.

Drinkaware appointed Hindal as chief executive in October and she has been in the post for three weeks, succeeding Chris Sorek who has returned to the United States.

Drinkaware today revealed plans to re-launch its website for consumers. It comes as nearly two thirds (64%) of visitors to the website said they were motivated to reduce their drinking after visiting the site.