ACS

ACS has expressed concern over the Conservative Party’s proposals to make sweeping changes to the current alcohol licensing regime. The measures, laid out by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling MP in his speech to the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, could lead to unnecessary cost and confusion among retailers.

Mr Grayling said if elected his party would ‘tear up’ the existing licensing system. This would include introducing measures that would allow councils to limit opening hours, control the density of outlets in some centres and giving communities the power to veto new licence applications.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Retailers have already gone through a period of significant upheaval following the introduction of the recent Licensing Act. We fear that sweeping changes will lead to the return of the confusion and costs of the last changeover.”

Mr Grayling also announced a new series of penalties for retailers who sell alcohol to under 18s.

Mr Lowman continued: “There are already extensive penalties that local councils and communities can use to punish and deter retailers who break the law on underage sales. We think that current laws could be made to work better rather than creating new ones.”

Mr Grayling also laid out plans to tackle youth drinking by decreasing the affordability of super-strength alcohol and alcopops by increasing taxes on these products. He also revealed Conservative policy to ban the below cost selling of alcohol.

James Lowman said: “We are concerned about whether the measures suggested will be effective. Measures to increase costs for all tend to affect the determined drinkers least. We will engage with the Conservatives on this important issue and will urge politicians to consider the evidence closely before imposing measures that won’t be effective.”

Contacts:

Shane Brennan Public Affairs Director
01252 515001/ 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Notes to Editors:

1. ACS (Association of Convenience Stores) is the voice of local shops, representing over 33,500 convenience stores. ACS helps local shops thrive through lobbying, support and networking opportunities.
2. Grayling said the tax on super-strength alcohol would be steeply increased, in an attempt to combat underage drinking. He said that the tax on super strength cider would double, the cost of a 4-pack of super-strength lager would increase by £1.33 and a large bottle of alco-pops would increase by £1.50. However there will be powers to protect some local breweries from these increases
3. Conservatives would introduce bigger fines for the first underage sale. On the second sale premises will be closed for few days. The third time would see licences being removed