Health experts call for last orders on 'recession sessions' of cheap drinks

Published on Saturday 3 January 2009 19:21

Health experts and politicians are calling for a "dangerous and deeply irresponsible" drinking trend to be axed, writes Marc Horne.

In a bid to shore up flagging profits nightclubs and bars across Scotland are launching "recession sessions" with cheap drinks on sale.

The licensed trade has been badly bruised by the credit crunch and now some club owners are hitting back by offering night-long promotions with beers and spirits being sold cheaper than soft drinks.

But MSPs and alcohol awareness experts claim the nights fly in the face of incoming legislation designed to tackle binge-drinking and antisocial behaviour.

Sea nightclub in Glasgow runs a cut-price weekly drinks promotion which targets revellers who are feeling the effects of the economic downturn. The Cambridge Street venue has launched a Recession Session, which is advertised with flyers and posters featuring pictures of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Bars in Edinburgh and elsewhere around the country have also followed the trend.

Glasgow MSP Sandra White called for an end to the discount nights. The SNP member said: "When you look at the figures for violence and liver disease in Glasgow this is the last thing we need. These club and pub owners are ignoring their duties not to encourage excessive drinking. They should put a stop to these so-called recession sessions. It is particularly worrying that these promotions are deliberately being aimed at young people."