Alcohol

Perspective needed on work parties

11-May-2023 By Ed Bedington

If things can’t get much worse for the pub sector, the fun-police are now out trying to ban drinking at work parties.

National Pubwatch joins forces with Best Bar None to offer help to independent licensees and operators

24-Aug-2021 By MA editorial

National Pubwatch, is working in partnership with Best Bar None, to support licensees and independent operators to reduce alcohol-related crime and meet their obligations under the Licensing Act.

Scottish pubs 'unfairly targeted' by alcohol rules

14-Apr-2021 By Emily Hawkins

Calls continue to mount for a relaxation of rules about serving alcohol when pubs reopen in Scotland.

Opinion

'Hospitality reopening is a chance to recalibrate our attitudes towards drinking'

09-Apr-2021 By Elaine Hindal, chief executive of Drinkaware

Among the dates within England’s roadmap out of lockdown, two are understandably getting a great deal of airtime – Monday 12 April and Monday 17 May.

Trade poll finds 67% of operators couldn’t open with a booze ban enforced

19-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

More than two thirds (67%) of businesses would be unable to reopen if the Government banned the sale of alcohol, a sector survey has found.

Opening pubs with alcohol ban is ‘not reopening at all’

08-Feb-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

The trade has reacted to rumours that the Government is considering scrapping 10pm curfew and substantial meal measures as well as barring reopened pubs from selling alcohol.

MP joins calls for takeaway booze ban U-turn

19-Jan-2021 By Nikkie Thatcher

An MP has echoed calls of trade bodies urging the Government reverses its decision to ban pubs serving takeaway alcohol.

MA's review of the week

Takeaway alcohol restrictions ‘very very unfair’ given off-licence leniency

08-Jan-2021 By Ed Bedington

In the first review of 2021's on-trade news, The Morning Advertiser's Ed Bedington speaks with UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls OBE to reflect on the week's biggest headlines.

Pubs shouldn't turn into off-licences, supermarkets free to sell alcohol

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has said pubs should not try to “repurpose” themselves so they can sell alcohol to customers on-site while supermarkets face no additional rules.

Pubs left in limbo over alcohol sale rules

07-Jan-2021 By Emily Hawkins

The Government has remained tight lipped when pushed on pubs’ permission to sell alcohol during England’s third lockdown.

Commons speaker pledges more low and no drinks in Parliament’s post-Covid bars

05-Jan-2021 By Stuart Stone

Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP has backed efforts to increase the number of low and no alcohol drinks in the House of Commons bars once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

Fury at pub alcohol ban in Wales

01-Dec-2020 By Emily Hawkins

A ban on serving alcohol in pubs has been met with anger from publicans in Wales, who say it means their businesses are not viable.

Takeaway alcohol U-turn ‘lifeline for trade'

04-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government’s partial U-turn on rules around takeaway drinks amid the second lockdown has been welcomed by trade bodies.

Opinion

Has the Government declared war on pubs?

03-Nov-2020 By Christopher Snowdon

I have long harboured the suspicion than the ultimate objective of British politics for the last fifteen years has been to destroy the pub trade.

Confusion about alcohol takeaways for pubs

02-Nov-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The pub trade is calling for clarity on serving takeaway alcohol while shut, ahead of the nationwide lockdown and enforced closure of hospitality this week (Thursday 5 November).

Alcohol duty review appreciated but calls made for further support

22-Jul-2020 By Nikkie Thatcher

The Government’s announcement that it will be launching a review into alcohol duty has been met with optimism from trade bodies alongside calls for more help for the beer and pub sectors to bounce back from the coronavirus crisis.

#UnitedWeStand

Bottle shops within breweries exempt from closures

26-Mar-2020 By Finn Scott-Delany

Licensed shops selling alcohol, including those within breweries, are exempt from the UK shutdown, the Government has clarified.

No and low-alcohol entrepreneur wins £125,000 Dragons’ Den investment

10-Mar-2020 By Stuart Stone

Former Halewood, Bass, Molson Coors and Whitbread Brewers sales manager-turned-drinks maker Richard Clark has won £125,000 investment for alcohol-free business Drynks on BBC TV show Dragons’ Den.

Opinion

Agile alcohol brands will fare best

08-Oct-2019 By Tom Bell, We Hustle consultancy

We Hustle consultancy’s Tom Bell says alcoholic drinks brands leading the way in innovation will see the biggest and best cut through. Here is his analysis of what to expect in the coming months.

Top ranking for Poppleston Allen licensing team

07-Oct-2019 By Alice Leader

Alcohol licensing law company – Poppleston Allen – and its team of solicitors have been acknowledged for its licensing, achieving Tier 1 status in both the East Midlands and London, according to the latest results from Legal 500.

Pubs get boost as Millennials favour spirit-based drinks

03-Oct-2019 By Alice Leader

Research has repeatedly suggested younger consumers are drinking less but according to a recent survey, pubs are benefiting from Millennials choosing spirits as their go-to tipple.

The Whisky Works reveals second wave of whiskies

30-Sep-2019 By Alice Leader

A new range of whiskies "with great stories to tell" has been revealed by an innovative arm of leading producers Whyte & Mackay.

LITTLE INTERVIEW

Pubs ‘don’t have to reinvent the wheel’ for non-drinkers

22-Aug-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Introducing a strong offer of non-alcoholic drinks is easier than pub operators might assume, according to the founder of spirit alternative supplier Stryyk.

Supermarket to take over pub with low-alcohol options

10-Jul-2019 By Emily Hawkins

Supermarket Sainsbury’s is opening a pop-up pub that will only serve low and no-alcohol drinks, in a bid to promote the category.

Tim Page steps down as director of Drinkers' Voice

14-Nov-2017 By Stuart Stone

The chief executive of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Tim Page has stepped down from his role as a director of Drinkers' Voice but confirmed he's staying in place at CAMRA.

Alcohol could inspire next generation of pain-meds

08-May-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Beers and wine served in pubs could be the basis for the next generation of pain killers, researchers have said.

Deprived areas see greatest pub losses, finds study

21-Apr-2017 By Liam Coleman

The most socially deprived areas have seen the greatest loss of pubs in recent years, while supermarkets have flourished, a University of Sheffield study has found.

Beer

The alcohol figures that just don't add up

29-Mar-2016 By Pete Brown

Pete Brown says the industry has suffered for too long over ‘facts’, which serve only to scaremonger the British public when it comes to the UK’s alcohol ‘problem’.

Legal advice

Are the new powdered and 'breathable' alcohols really...alcohol?

28-Jul-2015 By Poppleston Allen

What are the legal ramifications of the new powdered, breathable and other innovations in alcohol?

On the door breathalyser tests introduced in Cornwall

03-Jul-2015 By Oli Gross

Pubs in Cornwall have the power to turn away drunk customers who fail breathalyser tests this summer.

Politicians slammed as 'anti-alcohol public health zealots' over manifesto proposals

03-Sep-2014 By Helen Gilbert

A Parliamentary group's manifesto has called for a radical overhaul of drink-driving laws and regulation of alcohol marketing, to be overseen by an alcohol tsar. But what does the industry think of the proposals?

Parliamentary group calls for 'alcohol harm minister'

18-Aug-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

The All Party Parliamentary Committee on Alcohol Misuse is calling for a single government minister to be accountable for the responsibility of reducing alcohol harms as part of its 2015 Manifesto that also includes a minimum unit price for alcoholic...

Jägermeister ad ‘linked drinking with being tough’, ASA claims

30-Jul-2014 By James Wallin

The producers of Jägermeister have been criticised by the Advertising Standards agency for an advert which apparently linked drinking a shot with “tough, daring behaviour”.

Study shows parents unaware of underage drinking decline

28-Jul-2014 By John Harrington

More than nine in ten parents are not aware of the downturn in alcohol consumption by 11-15 year olds over the last decade, according to the Portman Group.

Out-of-home alcohol spend falls 9.8% over three years

02-Jun-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

The public is spending more on alcohol for drinking at home but significantly less at pubs and bars, new figures show.

Children in pubs: Licensing law

29-May-2014 By Poppleston Allen

It is important to remember the legal responsibilities under licensing law concerning the presence of children in your premises. Pub Licensing specialists Poppleston Allen lay down the law.

Gatwick police and publicans partner to tackle drunkenness at airport

19-May-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Alcohol-related incidents before and during flights from Gatwick have “reduced considerably” since police and publicans have partnered to tighten controls on passengers drinking before flights.

Consumers drinking more responsibly, says new survey

17-Dec-2013 By Ellie Bothwell

An increasing number of consumers are drinking responsibly, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Gov't shelves minimum pricing, plans to take 'tougher action' on irresponsible pubs

17-Jul-2013 By Gurjit Degun

The Government has confirmed that it will not press ahead with introducing a minimum unit price for alcohol, although it promised some action on cheap deals and said it plans to take "tougher action" on irresponsible pubs and clubs.

Government may consider linking alcohol minimum unit pricing to inflation

17-Sep-2012 By The Publican Morning Advertiser team

The Government has published its response the Health Select Committee Report on the Alcohol Strategy indicating it may support minimum pricing on alcohol linked to inflation. 

How long can unlicensed Innsatiable last?

13-Sep-2012 By Jonathan Smith

When is the sale of alcohol not the sale of alcohol — when furniture and beer mats are involved?

Greene King calls for Westminster Government to follow Scotland and introduce minimum pricing

21-Aug-2012 By John Harrington

Greene King, the brewer and pub operator, has called for the Westminster Government to follow Scotland and push for minimum pricing of alcohol at 45-50p per unit to avoid the emergence of “booze cruises” between the different UK countries.

Alcohol industry must do more to act responsibly says Health Committee Report

19-Jul-2012 By Gurjit Degun

The alcohol industry must do more to reduce alcohol harm or it “risks being seen as paying only lip service”, a group of MPs has said in a report released today.

The legalities of selling alcohol over the internet

27-Jun-2012

A recent enquiry highlighted a general uncertainty in relation to the legality of selling alcohol to customers in England and Wales over the internet.

Chase: The health lobby has got it wrong on alcohol statistics

21-Jun-2012 By Paul Chase

If anyone was unconvinced that alcohol has become the ‘new tobacco’, the latest demands of Professor Gilmore and the Alcohol Health Alliance (AHA) should dispel any remaining doubt.

Chris Sorek resigns as Drinkaware chief executive

20-Apr-2012 By Adam Pescod

Drinkaware chief executive Chris Sorek has resigned from the alcohol awareness charity and will leave his role at the end of June 2012.

New research from Drinkaware shows that children turn to parents first for alcohol

18-Apr-2012

Children claim parents are their most likely source of alcohol, according to new research published today by alcohol education charity Drinkaware.

Below-cost alcohol ban would have 'limited impact'

23-Feb-2012 By John Harrington, M&C Report

The plan to ban sales of alcohol below the combined cost of duty and VAT would have “limited impact” on prices in shops and supermarkets, according to a new study.

Pricing us out of an alcohol problem?

21-Dec-2011 By Phil Mellows

It must be that time of year. We’re getting deluged with alcohol-related stories and studies. There really ought to be a recommended limit for consuming this kind of stuff.

Minimum pricing faces stiff opposition, says report

16-Sep-2011 By Adam Pescod

Proposals for minimum pricing on alcohol in Scotland face widespread opposition as people believe it will fail to reduce excessive drinking and unfairly punish moderate drinkers.