ACS

ACS has welcomed the Government’s commitment to strengthen sanctions against individuals who use alcohol irresponsibly. Ministers have also indicated that there will be additional powers for local authorities to act against the minority of premises who do not retail responsibly or who sell irresponsible products. There will also be a consultation on a mandatory code covering all alcohol retailers, implemented through mandatory licensing conditions.

James Lowman Chief Executive of ACS said: “It is right that the Government creates more sanctions to deal with both adults and young people who repeatedly drink irresponsibly in our community. There needs to a range of punishments which reflect an individual’s culpability in alcohol related anti-social behaviour.”

Mr Lowman also commented on the code of practice for alcohol retailers: “We are committed to our role as responsible retailers and to delivering our part in reducing alcohol harm. However we believe that a code of practice that affects all retailers is likely to be a bureaucratic straight-jacket on retailers and local authorities. For example, a code that dictates certain training for convenience store staff has the potential to be very restrictive and burdensome on our sector.

“We are keen to see more details on the proposed restrictions on price and promotion. We are not convinced that there is a robust evidence base to show that measures outlined in this code of practice to restrict the way alcohol is promoted will prevent alcohol related harms. Such measures may undermine competitiveness and harm the interests of responsible consumers.

“We are also concerned about the Government’s pledge to pursue a ‘two strikes and you’re out’ policy in relation to alcohol retailers. We support effective sanctions against irresponsible retailers but think the priority should be placed on partnership working and not draconian enforcement. “

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 mandatory code of practice will be enforced through the current licensing regime and will apply to all premises licensed to sell alcohol – including private members clubs. Any breaches of these conditions will lead to a review of the licence (and possible loss of licence) or, on summary conviction, a maximum £20,000 fine and/or six months imprisonment.

Shortly they will release a consultation on a range of compulsory conditions which will include:

• banning offers like ‘all you can drink for £10’;
• outlawing pubs and bars offering promotions to certain groups, such as women only;
• ensuring that customers in supermarkets are not required to buy very large amounts of a product to take advantage of price discounts;
• ensuring staff selling alcohol are properly trained;
• requiring that consumers are able to see unit content of all alcohol when they buy it; and
• requiring bars and pubs to have the minimum sized glasses available for customers who want them.

3. The Government has also reiterated its decision to toughen the offence of persistently selling alcohol to children from three strikes within three months, to two strikes within three months;

4. The Government has also announced a range of measures to tackle individuals and young people who drink irresponsibly including:

• increase the maximum fine which can be issued for consuming alcohol in a designated public place from a level two fine (£500) to a level four fine (£2,500);
• introduce a new offence of persistently possessing alcohol in a public place. Young people under 18 can be prosecuted for this offence if they are caught with alcohol in a public place three times within a 12 month period, without reasonable excuse
• strengthen the police’s power to confiscate alcohol from young people in a public place so that they no longer need to prove that the individual ‘intended’ to consume that alcohol
• extend the police’s powers to issue Directions to Leave so that they can be issued to persons aged 10-15 to break-up groups of young drinkers