BAR owners want cheap-drink promotions banned across the whole licensed trade - including supermarkets and off-licences. The Guernsey Licensed Victuallers’ Association says that the crackdown on binge drinking should not focus solely on pubs and clubs.
Calling for the blanket ban, GLVA
president Peter Leigh yesterday said: ‘Supermarkets and off-licences are still allowed to do two-for-one or half-price promotions.
‘It’s not the licensees who are fuelling the binge drinking - we believe a lot of it is being fuelled by people drinking before they go out.
‘If you are drinking at home, you are perhaps not drinking sensibly and in safe measures, as you would in a pub. A licensee is there to ensure you drink sensibly.
‘There should be equality for all the licensed trade.’
The Guernsey Press revealed earlier this week that cheap-drink promotions could be outlawed as part of a crackdown on excessive consumption.
Landlords have been warned that licences will be at risk if they ignore a voluntary ban on two-for-one or all-you-can-drink promotions.
‘But we are pleased to say that licensees in St Peter Port and across the island have been very responsible,’ said Home minister Geoff Mahy.
The GLVA said that 99% of licensees agreed with the Drug and Alcohol Strategy Group advice not to have promotions.
‘But this does not seem to affect the supermarkets and off-licences,’ said Mr Leigh.
He cited an example of a can of Breda lager currently on sale for 66p in supermarkets and off-licences but selling at £2.60 a pint in a pub.
‘We are not making £2 on that and cannot go to supermarkets because most licensed premises are tied houses and can’t buy into these offers.’
And he saw a problem defining ‘binge drinking’.
‘Some people don’t believe they binge drink because they have been drinking at the same levels all their life,’ said Mr Leigh.
And given the island’s affluence, he did not think duty hikes would stop people drinking their usual tipple in their usual quantities.
‘Education and sensible licensees might help solve future problems. I would say 20 years ago there was more binge drinking with shorter hours and having to knock back drinks quicker.’
Article posted on 4th January, 2008 - 12.00am
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