ACS

PRESS RELEASE
28th July 2010

ACS Reaction to Home Office Alcohol Proposals

ACS has reacted to the Home Office consultation on proposals to reform the Licensing Act and to introduce a ban on the below cost sale of alcohol. The consultation proposes new powers for local authorities and a significant erosion of licence holders’ rights.

James Lowman, ACS Chief Executive said: “ACS is keen to play a constructive role in this consultation. We will be strongly advising Ministers that these proposals go far beyond a ‘rebalancing’ of the Act and instead would hand absolute power to local authorities, residents groups and police while businesses would lose even basic rights of appeal. Ministers are ignoring the fact that Councils, Police and residents can make bad decisions, or that they may act on prejudices rather than evidence. Safeguards for business are vital, and are required to ensure effective partnership based solutions to community problems can be achieved.

“Ministers have not shown how the proposals would lead to better results than those already seen in communities across the country. The proposed 6 week window for consultation is not enough time to take a proper look at the evidence. Ministers are heading at breakneck speed to a range of policies that are poorly conceived and massively burdensome on thousands of responsible community businesses.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan, Public Affairs Director
01252 533009 / 07921 372978

Chris Noice, Communications Assistant
01252 533013

Notes to Editors

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the campaigning voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. The consultation can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/consultations/