ACS

Following the publication by the Home Office of a draft code of practice on alcohol sales, ACS, representing 33,000 convenience stores that would be affected by the code, has urged Home Secretary Jacqui Smith to think carefully about the confusion that these changes will bring into the Licensing system. The draft Code contains a range of mandatory and local discretionary conditions.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: "This latest proposal shows that Government has reflected on some of the major concerns brought to it by industry and other stakeholders. Nonetheless we remain unconvinced that at this time of uncertainty there is a need for yet more change.

“We believe that the Licensing Act is the best tool we have to address irresponsible premises that cause problems related to the sale of alcohol in the community. These new proposals will confuse licensing officers, retailers and local people who are already using the Act effectively to tackle problems.”

On the issue of supermarket promotions, Mr Lowman said: "We have always emphasised the need for strong evidence to support interventions to tackle promotions such as bulk discounts and loss leaders. We will look closely at these proposals, in particular to understand how this will reduce alcohol harm, as well as the likely impact on our trade and its customers.”

On the possible difficulties caused by the local discretionary conditions he said: “Proposing to make it a condition on a licence that premises adopt a Challenge 21 policy for example is ill conceived. If a Local Authority imposed this option, a retailer selling alcohol to a twenty year-old would potentially face a £20,000 fine and six months in prison, which is a tougher penalty than if they sold to a fourteen year-old. We absolutely support Challenge 21 and Challenge 25, but they only work as voluntary industry initiatives. Making them law will undermine their effectiveness.”

Mr Lowman pledged to continue to work with the Home Office and other departments with an interest in alcohol policy, and to make a full response to the formal consultation on the code.
 

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Michael Saxton/ Grappa PR
Julie Kirby 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,000 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.

2. The Code includes a range of measures including:
• restrictions of pub promotions such as happy hours and other time based promotions
• the option for local authorities to restrict bulk supermarket discounts at certain times of the week
• the option for local authorities to enforce a mandatory Challenge 21 policy
• requirement for retailers to have point-of-sale information about health guidelines and risks
• the option for local authorities to demand an incident record be maintained to keep police and licensing authorities informed and to help to prevent future nuisance or disorder.

3. The penalty for breaking a condition of an alcohol licence is £20,000 fine and up to six months in prison. The fine for selling to someone under 18 in the Licensing Act 2003 is £5,000.

4. The proposal for local authorities to restrict bulk supermarket discounts would prohibit discounts on volumes greater than:
• 12 litres of beer, lager and cider (equivalent to approximately 27 x 440ml cans, 24 x 500ml cans, or 4 x 3 litre bottles);
• 9 litres of wine (equivalent to a case of 12 x 750ml bottles);
• 2 litres of spirits (equivalent to two large bottles)

5. These could be applied during one of the following periods: Weekend evenings – from 5pm to closing time on Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Evenings – from 5pm to closing time every day; Weekends – from 5pm on Friday to 6am on the following Monday; Evenings – from 5pm to closing time – and weekends– from 5pm on Friday to 6am on the following day

6. The full text of the consultation can be found at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/consultations

7. The consultation will run from today (13th May) until 5th August 2009.