Ethanol

Licensing Law

Drunk customers? New video shows how pubs and bars can avoid breaking the law

11-Nov-2016 By Helen Gilbert

Pub and bar staff have been reminded that it is illegal to serve drunk people and against the law for customers to purchase drinks for an inebriated friend in a new video. 

BBPA campaign

Do you know the laws on serving drunks?

19-Sep-2016 By Oli Gross

The laws around serving drunks have been highlighted in a poster campaign launched by the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA).

Record breaking gin is world's 'largest and most expensive'

23-Feb-2016 By Ben Winstanley

Silent Pool Distillers has created allegedly the world's "largest and most expensive gin", weighing in at nine litres and a hefty £5,000 price tag.

Want to distil your own spirits? You'll need a licence

22-Feb-2016 By Ben Winstanley

In the second part of an in-depth look at running a pub distillery, Ben Winstanley speaks to excise duties consultant Alan Powell to learn more about what licences you need to get started

Legal Advice

How to deal with drunken punters

09-Oct-2015 By Poppleston Allen

A previous article discussed the issue of drunkenness, following a couple of high-profile cases which brought this issue to the forefront.

Preloading crackdown dubbed 'woeful waste' of money

08-Oct-2015 By Emily Sutherland

A new campaign by Liverpool City Council designed to crack down on so-called ‘predrinking’ has been branded a waste of money by one local licensee.

Legal advice

Breath tests are unwelcome

23-Jul-2015 By Poppleston Allen

There has been coverage recently of a ‘voluntary scheme’ introduced in Newquay and Truro, where 21 licensed premises have agreed to introduce breathalyser tests on entry.

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.

Most shocking stories 2015

Licence revoked: Man dies after downing whiskey from bottle

17-Jun-2015 By Oli Gross

A Birmingham lessee had his licence revoked yesterday (16 June) following the death of a customer who reportedly drank half a litre of whiskey in 20 seconds.

Report urges action from trade on 'sales to drunks'

17-Nov-2014 By Mike Berry

A new report calls for a review of the legislation on ‘sales to drunks’ — which it claims is one of the most under-enforced laws on the statute books. But is it needed? Mike Berry looks closer.

ASA slams ‘world’s strongest beer’ for 67.5% ABV claims

24-Sep-2014 By James Wallin

A product branding itself the world’s strongest beer has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Agency for its claims to be 67.5% ABV.

Unlimited fines for selling alcohol to minors proposed

11-Jun-2014 By John Harrington

Unlimited fines could be handed out for selling alcohol to under-18s under new Government proposals.

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.

Industry figures defend trade over report that claims bartenders routinely serve drunks

17-Jan-2014 By Ellie Bothwell

Leading industry figures have defended the pub trade against a report that has claimed that licensees routinely break a law which says they should refuse to serve people who already drunk.

Gatecrasher defends itself over fake vodka reports

21-Aug-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Gatecrasher defends itself over reports of one of its former venues selling counterfeit alcohol.

Gatecrasher Clubs & Bars fined £5,000 for fake vodka

20-Aug-2013 By Michelle Perrett

Leeds Magistrates Court imposed a £5,000 fine and £2095.67 costs on Gatecrasher Clubs & Bars on 15 August for selling industrial alcohol as vodka at a student freshers week event.

Britain has shown onlookers that it can enjoy alcohol responsibly

21-Sep-2012 By Stephen Oliver

In a year filled with national celebrations, Britain has shown onlookers that not only can we put on a show worthy of a gold medal, we can also enjoy alcohol responsibly. In contrast to the inclement weather, reports of drunken behaviour did not rain...

Five men sentenced over fake vodka plant

28-Nov-2011 By Michelle Perrett

Five men who masterminded a major counterfeit vodka manufacturing and bottling plant in Leicestershire, were sentenced to a total of 17 years and ten months on Friday (25 November)at Hull Crown Court.

Luminar slammed over 60p promo

03-May-2011 By Lesley Foottit

Luminar Leisure has come under fire for an irresponsible promotion that claims to "specialise" in getting its customers drunk. A flyer for Liquid...

'Pub ban girl is back on the booze'

23-Jan-2011

A young woman barred from every pub in Britain is back on the booze - just days before the airing of a TV show on how she quit drinking. Jobless...

Chris Maclean: Pubs are a force for good

13-Dec-2010 By Chris Maclean

I have long believed that the demonisation of alcohol is the single greatest threat to the licensed industry. It is the systematic removal of any...

Police use 'drunk' actors in pub sting

03-Jun-2010 By John Harrington

Actors pretending to be inebriated, with their clothes soaked in alcohol, have been used in mock stings targeting sales to drunks. They were served...

Home Office welcomes training to tackle drunks

11-Feb-2010

A trade body that promises to usher in a "new era for responsible alcohol retailing" has been launched with government backing. The National Licensed...

Paul Smith: Health report could impact on well-being of industry

14-Jan-2010

Speaking to operators recently, it is clear the snow has caused problems in the short term, yet in the longer term the parliamentary Health Committee...

'VAT and duty: Cigarettes and alcohol hit by 'hidden' excise charge'

10-Dec-2009

There were no changes to alcohol and tobacco duty rates in yesterday's pre-Budget report, after they had been increased a year ago to offset the...

Major fake vodka plant raided

01-Oct-2009 By Gemma McKenna

A major counterfeit vodka manufacturing and bottling plant in Leicestershire has been broken up following two days of raids by customs officers.

Drunken convictions fall by 75%

21-Sep-2009 By Martyn Leek, M&C Report

New figures show that the number of those convicted of or receiving a police caution for drunkenness has slumped by more 75%.

'Shame of being found paralytic in street disappears as convictions fall by 75%'

21-Sep-2009 By Matt Eley Matt

Drunken behaviour is raging unchecked because offenders are escaping with a 'slap on the wrist'. Doctors' leaders expressed alarm at figures showing...

'Cheap alcohol ban will hit wine drinkers most'

04-Dec-2008

Wine drinkers will be hit hardest by a proposal to ban cut-price alcohol promotions in supermarkets and off-licences, according to...

Post-ban alcohol sales down eight per cent

30-Jun-2008 By Matt Eley Matt

Beer and spirit sales have been hit hard by the smoking ban, according to market analysts Nielsen. Around 175 million fewer pints have been drunk in...

Around 100 premises face action after drunks sting

13-Feb-2008 By John Harrington

A follow-up campaign is also promised

Rethink urged on undercover drunk stings

03-Oct-2007 By John Harrington

BBPA urges Government to postpone plans for campaign to target pubs serving drunks at Christmas

Pubs main target in underage sales fight

11-Jan-2007 By John Harrington john.harrington@william-reed.co.u

Fifty times as many instant fines were issued to bar and shop staff for serving under-18s than to children for drinking underage in 2005, new...

'Drunk inspectors' to patrol Glasgow pubs

10-Oct-2006

Undercover inspectors are to patrol Glasgow pubs and clubs on the lookout for venues serving 'drunks'. The move, which will involve trading standards...

Trade rubbishes 'LSD safer than beer' study

31-Jul-2006 By John Harrington

Trade leaders have rubbished a new report that ranks alcohol and tobacco as more harmful than LSD, ecstasy and cannabis. MPs argued for alcohol and...

Licensing@aol.com ...MA legal expert Peter Coulson answers your questions

15-Jun-2006 By Peter Coulson

Relief manager licence QI operate for a pub company as an assistant manager, and have always done the relief when the manager goes on holiday. As I...

Dedicated police team sets out to catch staff who serve drunks

01-Feb-2006 By John Harrington

Undercover police will check if bar staff are serving drunks at pubs and clubs in Hull. Four plain-clothed officers - known as "spotters" - will...