Publicly-funded body calls for crackdown on 'supermarket booze'

Published: 08 October, 2010

A publicly-funded alcohol awareness body in the north-east has called on the government to crack down on "cheap supermaket booze" which it claims is closing pubs.

Balance North East, which is funded by North East Primary Care Trusts, the Department of Health, the Home Office and local police forces, was set up to tackle "alcohol-related issues".
A survey of 244 pub licensees in the region, commissioned by Balance, showed more than half say business has declined in the past year, and will continue to do so. Nine out of 10 reckoned the sale of alcohol at "pocket-money" prices in supermarkets was to blame.

As a result, more than 80% of north east licensees questioned supported the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol.

The resarch also showed that more than half felt forced to offer drinks promotions to counteract supermarket price cuts, and seven in 10 would welcome legislation to prevent supermarkets from selling alcohol cheaply.

Ian Taylor, operations manager at Head of Steam - which owns nine pubs in Newcastle and Durham, said: "We have definitely noticed a lull in trade during the early evening, which has meant we have to operate later, which puts pressure on staff and budgets. It doesn't take a genius to link this to the increase in pre-loading, or people getting drunk on cheap supermarket alcohol before they hit the pubs and clubs."

Taylor added: "How can it be that alcohol is available from supermarkets at 1990's prices, when the prices of other goods, such as a loaf of bread have risen significantly? It's clear government need to do something to address the issue of cheap supermarket alcohol and to me, banning the sale of alcohol below cost price won't be enough."

Richard Slade, regional chair of the British Institute of Innkeeping (BII), which has more than 400 members in the region, said: "We can't and won't compete with the prices being offered by supermarkets. It's time to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol, which will enable us to compete and end this culture of pre-loading."

But trade bodies representing retailers and the trade disagreed, and criticised the survey for oversimplifying minimum pricing. A spokesman for the British Retail Consortium said: "Protecting the pub trade is not an argument for minimum pricing. Supermarkets are simply offering value to customers. Going to pubs is now about more than just drinking ? food, entertainment, socialising. People are entirely free to choose where, or if, they buy alcohol. Those outlets that best meet customers changing needs will continue to do well."

Gavin Partington, head of communications at WSTA, said: "We do not believe that minimum pricing is the solution for tackling social or commercial problems. It would mean higher prices for all consumers and particularly for those on the lowest incomes, whilst doing nothing to address alcohol misuse."

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