Drinking restrictions failing to measure up

Published on Wednesday 13 January 2010 08:59

As the Scottish Government pushes forward its plans for minimum pricing on alcohol in the nation's supermarkets and off-licences, Victoria Raimes finds its efforts to curb cut-price drink promotions in pubs have had a minimal effect

THE January sales signs are a familiar sight on the streets of the city centre, but they usually appear only in the windows of high street stores. This year is different. Banned by Scotland's increasingly tough laws on the sale of alcohol from proclaiming "two for one", "happy hours" and "half-price" deals, many of the city's pubs have adopted a different tack.

The introduction of the bans on 1 September last year has, perhaps predictably, simply prompted a more creative approach.

Instead, the city's bars are now staging "January sales" and "happy days" among a string of promotions designed to neatly sidestep the new restrictions. As long as the price is held at the same level for at least three days, it is perfectly legal.

Many pubs have just dropped their prices for longer, while many others have stayed the same – they are simply no longer promoted.

A wander around the city centre soon leads any booze bargain-hunter to pints and shorts for as little as an eye- watering 99p.

At Lloyds Bar in the Omni Centre, and other pubs in the Wetherspoon chain, drinkers can get change from a 1 on a choice of four drinks – Ruddles cider, a glass of 125ml house wine, Carlsberg Export or a single measure and mixer.

Revolution, on Chambers Street, has VIP reward cards that offer money off drinks, plus half-price vodka shots at 1 instead of 2, while Jekyll and Hyde, on Hanover Street, provides a student card that allows those studying to snap up Fosters and Strongbow for 2 a pint.

These are just a taste of dozens of examples of pubs which may observe the letter of the law, but certainly smash its spirit to smithereens.

At the Black Bull, on Leith Street, assistant manager Sarah Jones is dismissive of the impact of the ban on two-for-one and similar alcohol promotions.

"We still do it, we just don't advertise it. Before we had a 'double up for 1.25' sticker on some of our spirits. We took all those down but the price is exactly the same," she says.

"As long as we're not openly promoting it, Licensing Standards can't say anything. Our January sales drinks are priced the same as they were last year, except that bottles of Stella are down 10p."

She is equally scathing about other new rules which, for instance, forbid bar staff from asking regular customers "same again?", on the basis it could encourage excessive drinking.

"The other rules are also ridiculous," she adds. "We've had regulars come in for 20 years who put a stash of money down on the counter and like to be topped up when they finish their pints. But we can no longer say 'same again' so we end up with unnecessary formalities. It's quite antisocial.

"I can understand why we should do that with strangers, but not the people whose drinking habits and capabilities we are aware of.

"This act has been a lot of paperwork and effort for something that has barely changed."

The kind of bargains on offer in pubs are, of course, often beaten by those in the supermarkets.

Next on the Scottish Government's agenda is the plan to introduce a minimum price for alcohol, expected to be 40p per unit, on sales from supermarkets and off-licences.

That would see the end of popular deals such as three bottles of wine for 10.

THIS time, there is unlikely to be such easy opportunities to sidestep the crackdown. Barbara O'Donnell, director of services for Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: "The selling price of alcohol is costing Scotland dear. The report published (yesterday] that highlights the cost of alcohol problems to every adult in Scotland of 900 per year adds further weight to the call for a minimum price for alcohol.

"Offers which reduce the cost of alcoholic drinks to less than the cost of bottled water or soft drinks are contributing to the growing alcohol problem for our nation.

"The cost of alcohol misuse hits everyone of us, not only in the pocket, but in terms of how we look after our children, maintain our relationships and our employment.

"Pocket money prices for alcohol are costing Scotland far too much in terms of health, policing and social issues."

The Scottish Government's stated aim was to reduce binge drinking and curb Scotland's abuse of alcohol, which was yesterday revealed by a York University study to cost the country the equivalent of 900 per adult.

Today, the Government responds to suggestions that its efforts have missed the target by hinting at further action.

A Scottish Government spokesman explains: "The 2005 Act also allows ministers to ban promotions not already covered by the 2005 Act, if they feel it is necessary."

Councillor Marjorie Thomas, the city's licensing convener, also suggests some pubs were so far getting off relatively easily.

"People will always find a way to circumnavigate the new rules, but these laws are only five months old. We expected to take a wee while to get it fully off the ground," she says.

"But the eight Licensing Standards officers on our streets are going around checking if the law has been flouted. We're taking a softly, softly approach, letting people get a bit comfortable.

"Larger chains may well be getting away with too much and it is a worry that they're out-gunning the smaller people, but we'll be following this up."

Additional reporting by KATRINA DREW and EMMA GAMMET