Licensees and retailers invited to comment on alcohol clampdown

The Government has begun a public consultation on its plans to clamp down on “binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled antisocial behaviour”.

It’s seeking the views of all interested parties including licensees and retailers.

The Home Office action plan includes:

• a ban on multi-buy promotions
• a review of the mandatory licensing conditions
• a minimum unit price of 45p
• a new health-related objective for alcohol licensing
• cutting red tape for responsible businesses

The proposals follow several other measures that the Government has already put forward to tackle alcohol abuse. These include a late night levy so that businesses that sell alcohol late into the night can be made to contribute towards the cost of policing.

It has also rebalanced the Licensing Act in favour of local communities so that anyone can object to licensing applications.

Policing Minister Damian Green said: “These measures are not about stopping responsible drinking but designed to tackle the minority who cause alcohol-related crime and disorder in our local communities.

“We have already introduced early morning restriction orders to curb alcohol sales, a late night levy to ensure those selling alcohol help pay towards the costs of policing and we have made it easier for local authorities to tackle problematic licensed premises.”

The consultation runs until 6th February. You can comment by using the online form.

Please contact Lydia Housden if you would like more information about the issues raised in the article or any matters relating to licensing.