Drinking Culture

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.

The Lock In Podcast

Can pubs shake up the cocktail market?

05-May-2022 By Ed Bedington

The Lock In team look to shake things up when it comes to cocktails, and take a look at how pubs and bars can up their game when it comes to tapping into the growing cocktail sector.

Government responds to Lords' Licensing Act Review

07-Nov-2017 By Georgina Townshend

The Government has rejected proposals to scrap late-night levies (LNL), along with some other recommendations, as part of its official response to the House of Lords Select Committee’s proposals for a “major overhaul” of the Licensing Act 2003.

Regular pub binge drinkers 'more likely' to be violent

22-Aug-2017 By James Beeson

People who admit to regularly binge drinking at the pub are more prone to have acted violently in the past 12 months, according to new research.

Drinking alcohol ‘most days’ can reduce diabetes risk

28-Jul-2017 By James Beeson

Having a drink on three or four days per week may reduce the risk of diabetes by over 30%, according to a new study. 

Alcohol sales clampdown call is 'rehash of old ideas'

25-Jul-2017 By Fred A'Court

A research organisation’s report calling for tighter measures on alcohol sales has been labelled a rehash of demands that campaigning groups have been making for the past 10 years.

One in five people in Wales drink more than guidelines recommend

30-Jun-2017 By Michelle Perrett

One in five (20%) people in Wales drink more alcohol than the recommended weekly consumption figure of 14 units, the National Survey of Wales has revealed.

Public Health England publishes findings on ‘theoretical public health licensing objective’

26-Jun-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Health bosses have claimed that a public health licensing objection could play a “positive role”, despite objections from industry bodies.

Drinkaware unveils five-year strategy as it focuses on older drinkers

26-Jun-2017 By Fred A'Court

A significant shift in drinking habits and falling sales have led the alcohol education charity Drinkaware to shift its focus from young to older drinkers. 

NHS pressures ‘could be reduced’ by shorter trading times, claims IAS

31-May-2017 By Georgina Townshend

Pressure on ambulances, emergency departments, hospitals and the police could be “eased” if pub trading times were reduced, a study of licensing laws has claimed.

Bottomless Prosecco making binge drinking 'acceptable'

09-May-2017 By Helen Gilbert

Campaigners concerned that bottomless Prosecco brunches are making binge drinking acceptable among middle-class women should turn their attention to the off-trade, the ALMR has declared.

Licensing

Police block pub’s late-night licence bid

03-Jan-2017 By Nicholas Robinson

Police are obstructing a Teesside pub’s bid to open until 5.30am because of its “violent past”, despite bosses claiming the site now attracts a more “cosmopolitan” clientele.

NHS Health Survey for England 2015

NHS Health Survey: 31% of men drink above recommended guidelines

15-Dec-2016 By Sara Hussein

More men than women drink above the recommended alcohol guidelines on a weekly basis, latest NHS health statistics have revealed. 

Licensing statistics

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants have 24-hour licences

02-Dec-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Only 11% of pubs, bars and restaurants in England and Wales have 24-hour licences, latest Home Office statistics have revealed.

Community Alcohol Partnership

Alcohol confiscations from underage drinkers falls by 85%

16-Nov-2016 By Sara Hussein

Alcohol seized by police from underage drinkers in public has fallen by 85% according to a report released this week. 

Legislation

Spirits will be hit hardest by minimum alcohol pricing

14-Nov-2016 By Nicholas Robinson

Spirits will be hit the hardest out of all alcohol categories following the Scottish government’s announced plans to back minimum alcohol pricing.

Licensing

Trade voices wade in on health and licensing objectives

14-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

Licensing objectives emerged as the new front line in the looming war over the health of the nation, as experts from all sides gave evidence during a parliamentary hearing. As the heat rises, trade experts have now added their views. Nikkie Sutton reports.

Statistics

The Portman Group releases alcohol statistics video

11-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

The Portman Group has unveiled a video that shows official government statistics on drinking patterns in the UK.

JDW

JDW boss: Under-18s drinking in pubs could help to stop binge drinking

08-Nov-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

JDW boss Tim Martin has said 16 and 17-year-olds being able to legally drink in pubs could help prevent binge drinking.

Bar staff insider

Bar staff insider: proof of ID and how to deal with those who haven't got it

17-Oct-2016 By Bar staff insider

With Freshers’ Week still in the minds of bar staff up and down the country, asking customers for ID can drop you into a sticky situation.

Airports

Could this be the end of airport boozing?

01-Aug-2016 By Oli Gross

The sale of alcohol in airports is to be examined by the new aviation minister in a drive to prevent booze-related incidents on flights.

Licensing

Pub served closure notice for serving under-18s

28-Jul-2016 By Nikkie Sutton

A Southampton pub has been issued a temporary closure notice after staff served alcohol to two 16-year-olds, and subsequently sacked the employee.

Legislation

House of Lords launches enquiry into Licensing Act 2003

01-Jul-2016 By Liam Coleman

A House of Lords committee, set up especially to look at the Licensing Act 2003 and the liberalisation of opening hours, has launched its investigation. 

legislation

Licensing Act has led to massive growth in off-licences, report claims

08-Apr-2016 By Emily Sutherland

The 2003 Licensing Act has caused problems for police forces and led to a boom in the number of off-licenses, according to a new report from the Institute of Alcohol Studies (IAS).

News analysis

Community Alcohol Partnerships prove a huge success

05-Apr-2016 By Oli Gross

After the 100th Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) was launched in Bedfordshire last week, Oli Gross looks at the benefits of the scheme

Research

ALMR: 'Young foodies' shunning booze for dining out

23-Mar-2016 By Daniel Woolfson

A nation of 'young foodies' are increasingly choosing eating out over drinking out, according to new research by the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) and CGA Strategy.

analysis

Alcohol-free beer no longer a pint sized issue

22-Dec-2015 By Ben Winstanley

Alcohol-free beer is growing in popularity in Britain, according to new research released by AB InBev UK, and the largest beer company in the world is making steps towards growing its portfolio in response.

Industry history

The Licensing Act: ten years on

24-Nov-2015 By James Evison

Ten years on the Licensing Act has not become the ‘free for all’ that was anticipated. The Publican’s Morning Advertiser looks back at the past decade.

Statistics

Hangovers are costing the US economy 'billions a year'

19-Oct-2015 By James Evison

Excessive alcohol consumption cost the US economy almost $250 billion in 2010, a new report has claimed.

Research

Britons 'drink more than any other nation', report claims

13-Oct-2015 By PMA

Brits binge drink more than any other country, according to a new poll.

Is Big Brother watching you?

08-Oct-2015 By Ed Bedington

Big brother is watching — beware that friendly stranger at the bar chatting to your customers, he could land you in some serious trouble!

Third of Leeds pubs targeted in underage drinking sting caught serving underage

05-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

Almost a third of pubs targeted in a underage drinking sting by Leeds police illegally sold alcohol to underage children.

Friday Thought

What changes can we expect from a Tory government?

10-Jul-2015 By Paul Chase

When told about a new government’s programme for change, an old judge once commented: “Change? Change? Aren’t things bad enough already?

Legal

Experts proved wrong on Licensing Act

18-Jun-2015 By Poppleston Allen

Concern the Licensing Act 2003 would lead to an increase in alcohol-related crime and health issues has not come to pass.

Licensing Act: ‘hysteria’ over 24-hour drinking proven unfounded, report finds

22-May-2015 By Noli Dinkovski

The fear that the Licensing Act would increase social disorder has been proven unfounded, with binge-drinking, public order offences and violent crime all falling in the past decade, a report by a right-leaning think-tank has found.

Legal advice

Q&A: Police action against employees and charity events

09-Apr-2015 By Poppleston Allen

This week's legal Q&A focuses on what to do when the police want to ban an employee from a venue, and what to do when charity winner drinks a bottle in a un-licensed village hall

New campaign to help publicans that are pressured to serve drunks

10-Mar-2015 By Ellie Bothwell

A new poster campaign to help licensees raise awareness of the laws on buying alcohol for and selling alcohol to a drunken person has been launched today.

ONS: One in five adults now a teetotaller

16-Feb-2015 By James Wallin, M&C Report

More than one in five adults claims to now be a teetotaller, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Study finds drinkers ignore 'meaningless' consumption guidelines

20-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

A study has found that consumers are ignoring drinking guidelines because of a lack of scientific basis and because of the disconnect between official advice and average lifestyles.

Dry January ‘leads to long-term cut in alcohol consumption’

17-Nov-2014 By James Wallin, M&C Report

Alcohol Concern has revealed new research showing its Dry January challenge leads to a long-term cut in consumption for participants.

Licensing lament: How has the regime changed?

24-Oct-2014 By Tony Thornton

Victorian attitudes towards temperance influenced the policy of our licensing magistrates until well into the last century.

Drinks promotions: top legal tips

16-Oct-2014 By Poppleston Allen

In this top tips series we continue our analysis of the practical implications of the changes to the mandatory conditions on premises licence as a result of the Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) (Amendment) Order 2014. This week we look...

Grieving father calls for ban on selling alcohol to under-21s

13-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

The father of a 24-year-old who died from alcohol-related liver disease has called for the UK to mimic America and raise the legal drinking age to 21.

Luminar boss says pub breathalysers are 'socially unacceptable and inoperable'

08-Oct-2014 By James Wallin

Luminar chief executive Peter Marks has warned policy makers that the late night sector is being strangled by red tape and taxation – and cannot take any more.

One in seven parents mistakenly thinks underage drinking is on the rise

17-Sep-2014 By James Wallin

New research has shown that parents continue to wildly overestimate how many young people have tried alcohol, despite falling rates of underage drinking.

Survey shows young people want more alcohol education

09-Sep-2014 By Mark Wingett, M&C Report

Almost 90% of 18-24 year olds agree that education on the effects of alcohol should be integrated into the National Curriculum, according to new research.

Underage drinking falls to record low, Government stats reveal

24-Jul-2014 By Noli Dinkovski

The rate of underage drinking has fallen to its lowest level since records began more than a quarter of a century ago, according to official government figures.

A drink to your good health

08-Jul-2014 By Poppleston Allen

The recent announcement of Lord Brooke’s Private Members Bill “to make provision for the addition of the public health objective to the Licensing Act 2003” shows that there is still a school of thought which sees the licensing process as a means of controlling...

Rising cost of alcohol could explain drop in serious violence rates, new research reveals

23-Apr-2014 By James Wallin

Falling alcohol consumption and rising costs may have contributed to a decline in violence across England and Wales, new research has suggested.

Former Drinkaware chair to head up Community Alcohol Partnerships

27-Mar-2014

Derek Lewis has been appointed the new chair of Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP).