‘Child alcohol guide’ for parents

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Title – ‘Child alcohol guide’ for parents
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 31st December 2008

Whenever we ask a group attending one of our courses aimed at the Licensed Retail Sector ‘what is the legal age for a person to drink in England and Wales’, we generally get a cacophony of answers. Most say 18, those who completed their open-learning diligently and read their handbooks say 16 under certain conditions. The answer is as we can tell from this article altogether different; it is perfectly legal for a child aged 5 to drink alcohol.

This is just one of the common misconceptions of the Licensing Act 2003 and licensing of alcohol generally. The act does not cover the consumption of alcohol except where that takes place on licensed premises, but is concerned with the sale and supply of alcohol and there the answer to the original question is clear; alcohol can only be SOLD to people over the age of 18 and that is without exception.

Myths surround the sale and supply of alcohol, even many working within the sector fall foul to these half-truths and un-truths. Some have perpetuated over decades staunchly defended by publicans who have failed to keep up with changes in the law or customers who have no reason to know better and whose only qualification is that they have been going to the pub for 20 years. The fact is much has changed in 20 years and much more is set to change in the next few years.

During our courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) we dispel all these common myths and present candidates with the facts as they stand now, as well as the changes we expect to occur and how they can stay on top of new developments both in the law and in good practice. Responsible Alcohol Retailing is going to play a key role in the future of the licensed retail sector and the most profitable businesses and those that survive the various economic and statutory challenges, are going to be those that aim high at every level.
Beyond The Blue run a number of BIIAB approved training courses for the licensed retail sector as well as a Consultancy Service to help businesses meet their statutory requirements, prepare for the future and succeed.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Managing work-related violence in licensed and retail premises

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Title – Managing work-related violence in licensed and retail premises
Source – HSE
Date – 10th December 2008

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) have released this very useful leaflet aimed at helping people reduce

Workplace Violence, especially within the Licensed Retail Sector and the retail sector generally. We have made a pdf of this leaflet available through our website and recommend it to all our clients. If you are unable to access it, please Contact Us and we will be happy to arrange to provide you with a copy.

This document helps you to assess, through a risk assessment, any risk your staff face through violence in their workplace, what level of risk they face and what you can do to reduce it. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 defines employers legal obligation to protect employees welfare, including protecting them from workplace violence. Workplace violence is defined by the HSE as:

‘Any incident in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work’.

This definition is one that many employees who work in any way with the general public will recognise.

Too many employees are made to think that workplace violence is just ‘part of the job’ and too many employers are prepared to accept this view and turn a blind eye to the problem. It is not until the underlying consequences of workplace violence are really understood and the business case made for identifying it and putting measures into place to resolve it, that many employers stand up and take note. Workplace violence results in absenteeism, high staff turn-over, low productivity, customer dissatisfaction, poor customer service, unnecessary cost to business and in the worst cases prosecution.

The HSE document provides a straight forward method of assessing the level of risk faced by employees and some of the solutions. Summarised these solutions include; Work environment (eg. premises design and layout); Working practises; Training; Legal options; Partnerships working and special schemes.

Beyond The Blue can help you in all of these areas, through our training programmes and Consultancy Service. Assessing risk is the first step in this process and it can be that to gain a clear view of the risks faced it is more effective to get opinion from people who understand workplace violence and who are unfamiliar with your business. Many employers and employees are too close to their business to gain an impartial and all inclusive perspective on the problems faced by their employees; assumptions can cloud the potential for clear risk assessment. We can provide you with this assessment, as well as providing you with the solutions. Our Conflict Management & Resolution courses (CMR) are tailored to meet your specific needs, those of your business and your employees. By performing a Training Needs Analysis we design courses aimed at providing you with conflict resolution techniques as well as specific solution to your particular challenges.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Adverts tell teenagers of cocaine peril

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Title – Adverts tell teenagers of cocaine peril
Source – The Times
Date – 4th December 2008

This latest advertising campaign attacks many of the common myths about cocaine use. Cocaine is a drug that has gained an alarming acceptance amongst users and the public generally. Although there is some debate about the angle of the dog used in this campaign, the messages are clear.

It paints cocaine as the unsavoury drug it really is. The myths that it is a drug whose control people can regulate are exposed. Many users claim they can give up cocaine at any time, this is not exactly the honest truth.

Cocaine users do on the whole develop a physiological addiction to the drug, they ‘look forward’ to its use and rationalise it. The perception that it is not addictive or dangerous is challenged by the statistic of 196 death certificates last year stating cocaine as a mitigating factor. This doesn’t even touch on the long term damage to health that many medical professionals predict. The chemicals and other agents ‘cut’ into cocaine (see ‘

Drawing the line’) are a serious risk to users.

For the Licensed Retail Sector and for workplaces generally cocaine users present a constant headache. Dealing with the users, the dealers and the after effects of cocaine use should be taken seriously; ignoring it not only presents issues of potential prosecution; but also security and personal safety issues. Cocaine users present a unique set of challenges to employees.

At Beyond The Blue we run a number of specific courses directed at providing the knowledge not just on how to recognise drug use and drug dealing but how to prevent it and how to deal with users. The National Certificate for Licensees Drug Awareness (NCLDA) and our bespoke Drug Awareness (DA) courses look at illegal drugs, the effects and the drug litter synonymous with their use. Our Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) courses help staff deal with drug related conflict and Violence in the Workplace and the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) provides successful candidates with the qualification required to allow them to apply for their SIA Door Supervisor Licence.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Alcohol abuse curbs will end ‘get-one-free’ wine deals

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Title – Alcohol abuse curbs will end ‘get-one-free’ wine deals
Source – The Times
Date – 4th December 2008

It seems that the government has finally decided that banning ‘happy hours’ was effectively unworkable and are rather turning their attention to specific types of promotions and specific products; in this latest article wine is under the spotlight.

It doesn’t make a great deal of sense for me to go over the problems associated with this type of approach again as I have done so many times before in this blog, but it does once again seem that at a time when pubs and bars are struggling that such crude methods of ‘control’ are the only option being considered.

Even the government admit that the problem is with a minority of people and a minority of retailers. If only their response would be proportionate and focus on those people rather than punishing the responsible majority. The old analogy still works; if a few people regularly exceed the speed limit is it a proportionate response to restrict all drivers to vastly reduced and controlled speed limits?

We call once again for a positive and proactive response from government, a response that is a little more creative then ‘prohibition’ and punishment.

Responsible Alcohol Retailing should be at the heart of any business working within the Licensed Retail Sector, but it should be there because it provides those who embrace it with an inherent and tangible advantage to their business.

It is very well established that the corner-stone of responsible alcohol retailing is in effective training. At Beyond The Blue our portfolio of courses include BIIAB courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR). For premises with particular requirements we also offer courses in First Aid (FA), National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and Drugs Awareness (DA).

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

For more information on any of our services, please call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us.

Happy hours to be banned in alcohol ‘problem areas’

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Title – Happy hours to be banned in alcohol ‘problem areas’
Source – The Independent
Date – 10th November 2008

The headlines are much easier to write than the problem is to resolve. ‘Ban Happy-Hours’ the latest holy-grail to resolve the generations of an un-balanced relationship between alcohol and consumers in the UK; it is not a new problem.

The increasing murmurs coming out of government suggest a change of approach is afoot. However if the arguments in this article are going to be the reason for change, then the solution will be as ineffective as so many before and realistically the problems will remain. The only obvious change that will occur through the suggested solutions will be that responsible drinkers will pay yet more and therefore be pushed into drinking away from the on-trade as it gets more expensive.

So if the key battle ground in this argument is going to be; a child under 10 is admitted to hospital every 3 days with an alcohol related problem; 12,500 16 -17 year olds are admitted to hospital every year with alcohol related problems; the question we have to ask is, are they really ending up in hospital as a result of drinking in happy-hour? What exactly is banning the happy-hour going to achieve?

I have to agree that there are some promotions (Happy-Hours and other s) that are clearly irresponsible, but local licensing authorities already have the law on their side under the

Licensing Act 2003 to deal with these irresponsible alcohol retailers; in many cases, they just do not have the resources or man power. A blanket ban on happy-hours is hardly the ‘creative’ approach the ‘source’ is suggesting. It is crude, difficult to enforce, damaging to an industry that is vital to the economy and will be ineffective.

The ‘loss-leading’ sale of alcohol many will agree needs to be addressed; for that there is no plausible justification beyond the business argument.

‘Creative’ approaches should be ones not considered before; how do other countries get away without the night-time problems of drunks? Take France; public drunkenness is not something people celebrate, but rather it is frowned upon and considered highly socially unacceptable.

What is the punishment for public disorder as a result of excess alcohol consumption in the UK, sometimes a night in a cell (this is usually used as a way of sobering up drunks rather than a punishment), more generally a fixed penalty fine (often less than the cost of a night out), both of which are sadly often considered badges of honour for perpetrators to brag about… So let’s try the French approach and let’s try and approach that can be supported by the authorities, the community and the Licensed Retail Sector. Why not instead of a fixed penalty fine issue community service orders. Let’s take the’ trouble-makers and make them spend 3 or 4 (or as many as it takes) nights cleaning up the streets, cleaning up after other drunks dressed in fluorescent ‘unflattering’ outfits in the very centre of the town where they caused the disruption in the first place… it’s just an idea, it shows at least a little ‘creativity’. The point is the solution has to be supported by all except those causing the problems.
Beyond the Blue run courses and a Consultancy Service providing solutions for the Licensed Retail Sector, the Security Industry and who have to deal with Workplace Violence. Our courses include; The National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH), the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR), the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and Conflict Management and Resolution Courses (CMR).

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

UK top of European cocaine league

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Title – UK top of European cocaine leagueSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 7th November 2008

Where we sit in the European ‘league table’ in regard to drug use is less important to us then the figures for the UK itself and they do make quite disturbing reading, especially when you consider the negative effects drugs have on health and society in general.

These figures are important for people working in all sorts of sectors and anyone working with the general public. It is important that they are realistic about the level of the drug problems in the UK, so they can account for it within their workplace and businesses.

With close to 1 in 10 people in the UK having taken cocaine and some 800,000 having taken it in the last year, few workplaces will be free of cocaine users; certainly anyone dealing with the public will come across a cocaine user on a regular basis.

Illegal drugs cause all sorts of problems in our society, apart from public health issues, it adds to crimes levels and exasperates the problems associated with Workplace Violence.

Beyond The Blue run a number of courses where we examine illegal drugs, drug use and the enforcement of zero tolerance policies. For the Licensed Retail Sector we run the National Certificate for Licensees – Drug Awareness (NCLDA), for those people facing workplace violence we run Conflict Management and Resolution courses (CMR) and Physical Intervention (PI) courses and those people working in the Security Industry we run the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and In-House Security Induction (IHSI) courses. We also run bespoke Drugs Awareness courses (DA) which are suitable for both employees dealing with the effects of drug user or for groups (such as youth groups, schools etc.) looking for a course to make people aware of the effects of drug use; please Contact Us for more details of these Drug Awareness courses.

Please visit our website at

www.btbl.co.uk

Security licence body chief quits

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Title – Security licence body chief quitsSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 6th November 2008

I don’t imagine this comes as any great surprise to anyone who is familiar with the mess that has embroiled the SIA almost since it’s inception. You certainly don’t meet many people who come away from an experience involving the SIA with positive stories to tell.

When the documentation required by those applying to the SIA is so stringent and the expense considerable, so it comes as a bit of a kick in the teeth when the SIA themselves seem to bypass their own procedures and employ staff in highly sensitive positions without giving them the appropriate clearance.

It is hardly surprising that many of the Door Supervisors (and we should all be writing to the BBC and other media agencies, to ask them if they can stop using the outdated and derogatory term ‘bouncer’) feel that their licence and renewal fees are simply a tax which has and continues to push many people out of the industry. What exactly is the SIA doing for them?

The SIA or should I say the licensing of Door Supervisors has undoubtedly made the security industry more accountable and more professional, but the sheer costs involved in the licensing process has also had the opposite effect. With an SIA Door Supervisors Licence costing £245 on its own and then the costs of training on top of that, most people considering obtaining their licence are more interested in finding the cheapest training provider and are not too bothered about the standard of training.

Unfortunately this has led to many training providers cutting corners and becoming what I refer to as ‘certificate delivery companies’. These are companies less interested in the effectiveness of the training and how well it will prepare candidates for their role working in the Security Industry and more interested in simply preparing people to pass their exams...

I am not saying all training providers are this way inclined, there are many excellent trainers out there doing excellent work, but I feel sorry for them. Their margins are being squeezed to the point where they have to choose to join those who cut corners or compromise their standards. Ask any trainer worth thier salt if you can really run an effective interactive course with 25 candidates and they will tell you it is impossible. Can you run a lecture style course with 25 people and the answer is yes. But the Door Supervisor course is not designed as a lecture and to present it as such is simply not as effective. So who is making sure that training standards are maintained? Not the SIA!

At Beyond The Blue we don’t compromise our training standards; we are not a ‘Certificate Delivery Company’, but rather a proactive training company. For this reason we have currently suspended our open National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) courses and are only running NCDS courses for organised groups and our corporate clients. Our clients understand our approach to training and want the training for their staff to be about more than simply the certificate at the end of it; They demand the effective product we provide and the professionalism of their employees as a result. If you have a minimum of 12 candidates for the NCDS call us on 0845 602 55 95 or Contact Us for your training requirements.

Please visit our website at

www.btbl.co.uk

Pub trade ‘faces 4000 closures’

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Title – Pub trade ‘faces 4000 closures’
Source – www.ft.com
Date – 2nd November 2008

With Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC) the well respected auditors latest report we can see yet more evidence of the real crisis which the ‘pub sector’ faces.

We know there is a serious economic downturn or ‘Credit Crunch’ for those that like tabloid headlines, it is affecting everyone and few can hide from it. With all the other burdens that the pub sector has had to deal with, this latest report is hardly news; but that such a high profile company is now predicting 4000 pub closures this year, we must really be aware of the grave difficulties faced by the Licensed Retail Sector and call on the government to provide help, where it is reasonable to do so.

It is natural that in any downturn there will be an increase in businesses folding and poorly run businesses are usually the first to go. But there are so many factors affecting the pub sector that it is not simply poor businesses going under, but good ones as well.

We have covered this story closely over the last 2 years and commented on it repeatedly. Our message is still the same, the time has come to stop sanctioning all those involved in the Licensed Retail Sector with additional cost and legislation. With 4000 closures this year there will be many more unemployed and also less revenue for a government to meet the costs of the unemployed. By rewarding Responsible Alcohol Retailers and not punishing the sector as a whole for the fault of the few, we can regain the vibrancy of the pub sector in this country without focussing on the excesses of the binge drinking minority.

Those retailers that will ride out the storm the country currently faces, are those who provide excellent service, quality product and good value. Good value does not mean ‘£5 all you can drink’ promotions, it means a reasonable price for an excellent product.

Training is one of the cornerstones of excellent service and through our portfolio of training courses and our Consultancy Service we can help you to survive and thrive. At Beyond The Blue we run the portfolio of BIIAB courses as well as bespoke courses for our corporate clients. These include; The National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH); the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR); the National Certificate for Designated Premises Supervisors (NCDPS); the Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ); the National Certificate for Licensees – Drug Awareness (NCLDA); the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS); and Conflict Management and Resolution Courses (CMR). Our Consultancy Service can help to revive your business, provide you with the information and systems you need to rejuvenate it and give you the solutions that are easily missed when you are too involved from inside your business to see the wood for the trees, an all too common problem that often only very proactive employers are aware of.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Binge Drinkers ‘risking dementia’

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Title – Binge Drinkers ‘risking dementia’Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 1st November 2008

It is important to clarify that ultimately responsibility for alcohol consumption lies with the consumer themselves, but both government and the drinks industry have to play their part in educating people and promoting Responsible Alcohol Retailing.

The first step in this process is to make all staff working in the Licensed Retail Sector aware of the effects of chronic drinking or alcoholism and what is now universally referred to as ‘binge drinking’. It is important that not only do they realise the concept of these different types of excessive alcohol consumption, but the effects that they can have on the consumer.

The licensed retail sector alone however can only have a limited effect on resolving the health difficulties associated with the countries drinking patterns, it has to be a co-operative approach. It is for this reason that I am always very sceptical about a legislative approach. Further legislation only increases the costs to the industry, squeezing margins further leading to greater competition which has generally made alcohol cheaper over the last 10 years rather than more expensive, as more people fight for fewer consumers. Besides does anyone really believe that banning happy hours will stop alcoholics…? Is binge drinking going to disappear over-night or are people going to be even more inclined to ‘pre-load’ at home in an uncontrolled environment…?

Has any consideration been given to who is going to enforce this new legislation? Licensing officers are already so stretched and underfunded they are often unable to act proactively under current legislation, adding further regulation is hardly going to make that situation any better.

There has to be a co-operative approach and each group involved has to act swiftly.

As an industry we need more training, we have to make sure that everyone involved in the sale of alcohol understands the effects of alcohol in the short term and the long term. By understanding these effects, alcohol retailers are much more likely to act in a more responsible manner. At Beyond The Blue, many of our courses include sessions on the effect of alcohol consumption on short and long term health. Courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) as well as the Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) and the Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ), all have sessions dedicated to the effects of alcohol on the body.

Please visit our website at

www.btbl.co.uk

Police losing fight to stop cocaine use

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Title – Police losing fight to stop cocaine useSource – The Independent
Date – 31st October 2008

That the government is proud to announce that the use of cocaine amongst adults is now broadly stable or that it has reached a plateau, should be of some concern to those who have to deal with the consequences of cocaine use by their employees, customers or others. The concern is, not that they have stopped growth, but rather that there has been a natural cessation of growth; it suggests a complete lack of control.

There does seem to be an acceptance of inevitability on those enforcing drug laws on various different levels, an acceptance that nothing is going to stop traffickers and users and that it is a losing battle we are fighting. There also seem to be a lot of urban myths as to the effects of Cocaine use, to the point where in many circles the use is seen as acceptable or even a status symbol.

Cocaine users in general see themselves as different to crack, heroin, methamphetamine and other class A drug users. Somehow these are seen as degenerative or ‘drug addicts’ drugs of choice, where in some circles Cocaine is seen as a sign of success; the champagne of the illegal drug world, as opposed to the special brew consumed by the alcoholics and down-and-outs.

The battle lines need to be redrawn if there is to be any success in the battle against Cocaine use; it is a class A drug it carries a maximum 14 year sentence for possession; it carries a life term for supply; and yes getting hold of a little ‘Charlie’ for a mate is classed as supply. However more importantly it is an addictive drug, it can lead to the use of other destructive and even more addictive class A drugs; and importantly it has serious negative effects on health, some of which we may yet have to fully experience until the ‘cocaine generation’ get older.

The most important message though I believe the government need to send out and we all need to help get out there, is that Cocaine use is not a sign of success, but a sign of failure. It is not a drug without consequence on health, the criminal economy, the population of Columbia and the severe destruction of the rainforests; Cocaine use in the UK is having a very serious effect on global warming… Ultimately Cocaine users should be made to realise what they are, no better than crack, meth amphetamine or heroin users. They are dependent on a substance whose purity they have no control over, we need to make Cocaine use socially unacceptable by showing the reality of what users are really ‘snorting’ and breaking the link to celebrity and glamour. We need friends and colleagues to be disgusted by weak willed people who need drugs to prop themselves up, we need colleagues and friends to stop turning a blind eye or somehow feeling peer pressure to join in with the glamour. How glamorous is it really to ‘snort’ anaesthetics, pain killers, opiates, antiseptics and all the other unspeakable by-products ‘cut’ into cocaine?

At

Beyond The Blue we run a number of courses looking at illegal drug use in a variety of different environments. For the Licensed Retail Sector we run the National Certificate for Licensees – Drugs Awareness (NCLDA). We also briefly review drugs in some of our other courses such as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR). For the Security Industry we cover illegal drugs in both our National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and our In-House Security Induction (IHSI). For people looking for a course exclusively focussing on Drug Awareness we run bespoke half or one day courses on Drug Awareness (DA) designed specifically for their environment, be that in enforcing zero tolerance policies, dealing with the consequence of drug use or for schools and colleges to make students aware of the effects of drug use. For our bespoke Drugs Awareness course please Contact Us or call 0845 602 55 95.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk or join us on Facebook. For a complete list of Blog entries visit our National Press Archive page.

Victim of girl gang ‘glassing’

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Title – Victim of girl gang ‘glassing’
Source – Metro
Date – 29th October 2008

This graphic image demonstrates clearly why we preach about Responsible Alcohol Retailing and why no one should be surprised if the government tighten legislation further in regard to the sale and supply of alcohol and put other measures into place to restrict ‘binge drinking’.

But even with a tightening of legislation it will still be the Licensed Retail Sector that needs to enforce standards and enforce the measures that will decrease the instances of alcohol fuelled violence. The frustration is that most alcohol retailers are already behaving responsibly and although licensing authorities recognise this, they seem powerless to deal with those that act irresponsibly without placing sanction on the sector as a whole.

From the local authority licensing officers we work with, we always hear the same story; they want to be more proactive and work more closely with the sector as a whole, but a lack of resources restricts their ability to do so. Our message to central government is not to consider more restrictive legislation, before they have resourced licensing officers to properly enforce the current ones.

This story is unfortunately not uncommon and even more tragically the incidence of violent women is on the increase and the level of the violence they use is also increasing. This means that those working in the Security Industry have to accommodate these changes and make proactive provision to deal with them. Where the risks are high, additional Door Supervisors, CCTV and the use of polycarbonate drinking vessels amongst other measures should be considered and implemented.

Cost consideration is a part of any business, but too many irresponsible alcohol retailers put cost before safety, which is not only a very short sighted business plan, but also inexcusable when such policies result in the horrific injuries sustained by this young woman.

Everyone working in the sector has a responsibility to do their bit to stamp out such assaults by whatever methods are available to them. Even one such incident is one too many. Think about this, if you have the opportunity to prevent it and you don’t, you bear some of the responsibility for it.

At Beyond The Blue we provide training in both the licensed retail sector and the security industry. Our Conflict Management and Resolution courses (CMR) and Physical Intervention (PI) Courses help our clients to adopt a proactive approach to aggression and Violence in the Workplace.

We also provide the National Certificate for Door Supervisors course (NCDS) for candidates wishing to apply for their SIA Door Supervisor Licence and a Consultancy Service for clients who need to implement new systems in order to combat problems they face with aggressions and violence in their workplace.

Please visit our website at

www.btbl.co.uk

That’ll be two-thirds of a pint please, landlord

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Title – That’ll be two-thirds of a pint please, landlordSource – Metro
Date – 24th October 2008

Providing more flexibility can only be a good thing, but with flexibility comes the need for further education.

The high profile ‘Units’ marketing campaign has started the process of warning people not to trust the old method of calculating a single unit as a glass of wine, a half pint of beer or a shot of whiskey. It has made them aware, that with so many different measures now available and the wide variety of different strengths of products, it is now a little more complicated.

So introducing another measure means that staff selling or supplying alcohol need training more than ever and consumers need to be educated as to how this may affect their safe consumption of alcohol.

At Beyond the Blue we run a number of courses that highlight the method of calculating the number of units in any particular alcoholic drink. These courses include the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) required by anyone wishing to apply for a personal licence; the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) designed for front line staff and proactive employers who want to put their staff through a recognised half day qualification that gives them an additional due diligence defence in the case of prosecution relating to the Licensing Act 2003; and the Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) designed for young people to educate them in the short and long term effects of alcohol and the importance of responsible alcohol consumption. The CAA is a course that can be delivered in schools and colleges.

Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk

Bars facing ban on free alcohol / Ban on free drinks for women in bars

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To view the original Sunday Times article Click Here

Title – Bars facing ban on free alcohol / Ban on free drinks for women in bars
Source – www.bbc.co.uk / The Sunday Times
Date – 12the October 2008

You can’t say we have not been warning you, here is the first real indication that the Licensed Retail Sector is in for yet another round of regulation and this one could be expensive. For those responsible alcohol retailers it will seem like a very unnecessary burden at a time when the sector as a whole is desperately looking for ways to cut its costs, not add to them.

With this ‘leak’ of the proposals we are only given a flavour, but it has been obvious to me for a while that the building blocks have slowly been falling into place for the government to push through reforms; the KPMG Report, the ‘Evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act’ and the relative ‘success’ of the SIA licensing process; in comparison to some of the failures associated with the ‘Grand-fathering’ of Personal Licences under the Licensing Act 2003.

The drinks industries own codes of practice are a very effective way to promote Responsible Alcohol Retailing and those that follow these codes will not mourn the regulation and effective banning of practices such as ‘all you can drink’ linked to entrance prices, minimum pricing per unit of alcohol and the uncompetitive promotions offered by the bigger competitors to squeeze out ‘local retailers’.

On the training front, the fear will be that the introduction of mandatory training is disproportionate or inappropriate. Responsible employers should already provide significant training to staff, not just because they realise the legal and moral responsibilities they have, but also because of the competitive advantage that well trained staff provide. As more people take up courses such as the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) aimed at front line staff selling alcohol, they realise the benefits of this course. We would hope that if mandatory training is to be introduced then this would be the sensible approach.

The government would also take great steps if they finally clarified the existing rules and enforced them. For example there is still no definitive guidance on the role of Personal Licence holders regarding how much control and how actively involved they have to be in order to legitimately ‘authorise the sale of alcohol’, every licensing authority seems to take a different approach. If you need clarification on this matter please Contact Us and we will offer our opinion based on our work with licensing officers, legal advice received and extensive research into The Act and associated guidance.

The other question that must be asked of the government policy is; are they going to address the issue of the thousands of Personal Licence holders who gained their licence by virtue of being named on a licence under the 1964 act at the point of conversion? Our experience is that a substantial proportion of these licence holders believe they understand the new 2003 Licensing Act; but in reality when they send staff to attend our National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) course, start to realise they are out of date and out of touch and soon send themselves on the same course.

The problem with this information is in those rules that are proposed that seem senseless. Is wine-tasting really a social pariah that leads to drunkenness and crime and disorder, public nuisance or public safety issues? We know that new regulation brings with it the absurd and the ridiculous, we plead with the government think this through, consult with the industry and don’t punish the responsible retailers with punitive expensive measures because of the irresponsible minority; we ask them to consider the reality of where the problems actually lie regarding alcohol consumption; we know more alcohol is consumed in the home in uncontrolled environment than the on-trade and we know that the on-trade already deals (at great expense) with the problems that arise as a result of customers ‘pre-loading’; we ask them not to have a knee-jerk reaction to the myths and stereotypes that are out there. The original Act already reads in part like it was written by a politician from a small country village. If additional legislation is on the way look for effective solutions from within the sector, consult licensing inspectors and proactively consult real people not just those that have the time to attend town-hall meetings.

It looks like further regulation is on the way. Remember the Security Industry Act 2001 and the smoking ban; we urge our clients not to fall behind, get your house in order now and call us at Beyond The Blue.

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Two beers… and one for my pri-mate

Title – Two beers… and one for my pri-mate
Source – Metro
Date – 8th October 2008

We don’t always have to take life too seriously and I am certainly not going to go down the line of ‘if you pay peanuts…’, but having a Unique Selling Point is important in any business, you just need to ensure that you think it through and it is sustainable.

I think replicating this in the UK would present it’s own challenges, does the monkey need a personal licence or has the owner provided enough training in order to ensure that it will retail alcohol responsibly?

The question of what training staff require in order to act responsibly and how many personal licence holders a particular premises will require is one we discuss frequently with clients and we explore it during our National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) course and from the perspective of front-line sales staff (in both the on and off trade) during the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR).

Train you staff proactively and effectively and your USP does not have to involve monkeys…

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Asda attacked for 90p lager 4-pack / Killed by vodka binge

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Title – Asda attacked for 90p lager 4-pack / Killed by vodka bingeSource – Metro
Date – 8th October 2008

If ever proof were needed as to why it seems to be becoming more inevitable that the government will intervene, then here is one example. If beer is being sold for 23p a can, the argument for minimum pricing really makes itself; even those within the trade will find it difficult to defend that. I have talked about pricing before in this blog, especially in regard to supermarkets; I know we are in the middle of a ‘economic downturn’ but even with all the arguments 23p a can is just a little more ‘value’ than is reasonable.

Following the leak from the Home Office, it seems inevitable that with time more regulation will be placed on alcohol retailers, including the possibility of minimum pricing, potentially based on a ‘minimum price per unit’ and possibly regulation in regard to alcohol promotion.

Much of the focus of potential new regulation seems to be on the on-trade, with references being made to ‘Happy Hours’ and ‘Sampling’. One of the questions should be; what constitutes a happy hour? We have a fair idea when it comes to the on-trade, but the happy hour is in effect just a price promotion for a specific period, so will this also affect the discounting in supermarkets that takes place before and on every bank holiday? Therefore are restrictions going to redress the balance between the on and off trade or make it more unbalanced?

It is not an easy balance to make, because although the on and off trade cater to similar markets and in part sell the same product, their business models are vastly different and the result of their actions are also very different. There is not a ‘one size fits all solution’ and any rash new regulation could easily tip the balance one way or the other resulting in more businesses failing, higher unemployment, less choice and less value for the customer, without actually substantially reducing the negative effects on those in our communities that drink excessively.

This article also covers the tragic death of a Warwick University Student following a bet that he could drink 20 shots (half a litre) of vodka in 20 minutes. This is the equivalent of 20 Units or more of alcohol, which is equivalent to the recommended weekly allowance for men; in just 20 minutes. Undoubtedly an extreme case, but from my experience in Universities not a unique one. No details of where this happened were given, so I will make no further comment, except to warn others and alcohol retailers especially, to be aware of the potential dangers of this type of activity and to do what they can to prevent it.

Beyond The Blue run the portfolio of BIIAB approved Licensed Retail Sector qualification including the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) which is directed at front line staff to help them understand their legal and moral responsibilities in the sale of alcohol as well as the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) for those people working in the sector who require the qualification in order to apply for their Personal License to allow them to sell and authorise the sale of alcohol.

We also believe strongly in the BIIAB Schools Project which provides training in schools and universities to pupils and students which demonstrates not only the effects and potential effects of alcohol on the body, but also promotes the sensible drinking message.

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Is it time the world forgot about cannabis in its war against drugs?

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Title – Is it time the world forgot about cannabis in its war against drugs?Source – The Independent
Date – 3rd October 2008

I have no intention of rehashing the arguments on the legalisation of cannabis; we have done that before in this blog and it is a subject the press come back to on an annual basis to fill some column inches. The fact is, it would be a very brave government that took that step anytime soon and there is simply not the will to address it at this time.

I have included this article for our clients as a matter of interest. Understanding the origins and nature of the drugs trade helps you to better protect your business or organisation from the negative effects of illegal drugs. Understanding the size of the industry allows you to appreciate the importance of zero-tolerance policies as well as the difficulty in enforcing them.

With 160 million cannabis users worldwide, cannabis is a very profitable business for drug dealers and as a restricted drug in the UK, business owners, managers and staff have a duty to ensure that their premises and workplaces remain drug free.

At Beyond The Blue we run bespoke drug awareness courses as well as industry specific courses such as the National Certificate for Licensees – Drug Awareness (NCLDA). Drugs awareness also features heavily in some of our other courses such as the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and our In-House Security Induction (IHSI) course.

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Universities to probe initiations

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Title – Universities to probe initiationsSource – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 2nd October 2008

It is a sector of the Licensed Retail Sector we know intimately; Universities and Student Unions.

We have covered university initiations before in this blog (Sports Initiations Banned) and we have focussed the attention of many of our clients within this sector on the potential problems of this ‘tradition’

Having worked for many years in this sector, I have seen many an initiation ceremony, some I was in a position to stop or ‘control’, others were carried out in areas where we just did not have any jurisdiction; some were acceptable, others deplorable to the point of bullying.

So is there harm in these initiation ceremonies and should we be putting an end to these ‘traditions’?

My answer is yes and no. There is a great deal of peer pressure at Universities; trust me it is not just the rugby or hockey club initiation. First years are vulnerable; second years think they have the right to get their own back; third years on the whole start to realise that they have a lot of catching up to do and have to take life a little more seriously. There is peer pressure to drink, peer pressure to fit in, peer pressure to behave in a certain way and peer pressure to go to certain places. During this whole process first years are on their own, desperate not to be shunned.

The role alcohol plays in this is part of the ‘tradition’ remains unchanged, unfortunately the alcohol used is far from traditional…

15 or 20 years ago standard ‘cheap’ lager or bitter was the student’s drink of choice. With an abv of 3.5% there was a small degree of limitation, simply in the volume you had to be physically able to drink to absorb substantially excessive quantities of alcohol. In 2008 with the drink of choice being strong beers, flavoured alcoholic beverages (alcopops) and spirits (shooters & cocktails) the abv’s are much higher and the volume of drink consumed much more manageable. This means that while the ‘traditions’ may not have changed too much, the actual alcohol consumed during the ‘initiations’ has increased dramatically.

Those managers that do have control of those premises where these initiation take place have a duty to make sure they provide a control measure. They have to be the ones to break the cycle of peer pressure and it is not difficult to do. I can’t remember the number of times I stepped in to these situations and was chastised and called names and my team was often referred to as the ‘fun police’ (I even had the honour of having songs dedicated to my role). However when I stepped in to ‘protect’ those involved, as they chastised me it was obvious to see the relief on their faces having been spared the next round or the next ‘challenge’; they had been given a way out, without the need to lose face.

It is all about the balance and each and every person involved taking their responsibilities seriously. It is clear that with binge drinking a problem generally, adding in the extreme pressures that new students feel there is potential for real problems to occur. However we feel there is room for compromise and the silly games, forfeits and ‘traditions’ should not be brought to an end, but rather the emphasis on alcohol consumption curtailed and controlled.

To achieve this staff and management need to receive the appropriate training. Those that serve the alcohol have legal responsibilities to Retail the Alcohol Responsibly and who would benefit for the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holder (NCPLH) and the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR). Security teams who are often on the front line would benefit from the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) allowing them to apply for their Door Supervisor Licence and our In-House Security Induction course (IHSI). Beyond The Blue are specialists in providing solution to the unique challenges faced by Universities and Student Union’s around the country.

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Drawing the line

Title – Drawing the lineSource – The London Paper
Date – 29th September 2008

Just in case anyone was in any doubt (usually we call this denial when we address the actual drug user) cocaine is not very good for you. users will tell you their habit is under control and that they do it because they enjoy it. Now find me an ex cocaine user who thinks taking cocaine was a good idea or find a long time cocaine user who in hindsight thinks they had their use under control; it is very rare and generally these are the same people who like addicted gamblers, will only ever recount the good experiences they had on cocaine and seem to conveniently forget the bad ones.

But our role is not to lecture to drug users; our role is to help businesses, organisations and employers who suffer as a result of drug taking amongst their staff or in the working environment. Especially those people who have to work directly with the public and in areas associated with drug use such as the Licensed Retail Sector.

In order to inform those candidates attending our courses, we demonstrate the effects drugs have on people so that they can be easily identified, we demonstrate what drugs and drug litter actually looks like through our placebo drugs kits and we examine the effects of drugs and the dangers. Candidates can use this information when dealing with drug users enabling them to act more safely and proactively in enforcing zero tolerance policies.

This article not only shows the terrible effects cocaine can have on the human body, but what harmful substances are ‘cut’ with cocaine to increase the mark-up of the dealers. It never ceases to amaze me that people have any trust in dealers or believe that they have any morals. By their nature they are criminals, so why would you believe them when they tell you a drug they are selling you is pure or clean. They are killing you anyway, so why would they care what they cut into your ‘coke’?

At Beyond The Blue we run bespoke drugs awareness courses as well as industry specific courses such as the National Certificate for Licensees – Drugs Awareness (NCLDA). Several of our other courses also contain details sessions on drugs awareness including the National Certificate for Door Supervisors (NCDS) and In-House Security Induction (IHSI). Some of our current clients ask us to add specific drugs awareness sessions into existing courses such as the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) to turn what is usually a half day course into a full day course.

Please Contact Us for further details.

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Cheers to good health

Title – Cheers to good healthSource – The London Paper
Date – 29th September 2008

So it’s official; Alcohol is good for you!

If we have ever doubted that drinking can have health benefits here is the proof, so we should all pop down to our local and top up with our favourite tipple.

It is just one of the many mixed messages that are out there, very rarely do we see the balanced view, one day a glass of red wine is recommended by doctors, the next we are talking about putting health warnings on packaging; so which is it?

The fact is as with most things in life it is all about balance. Alcohol has played a part in our lives and our society as long back as anyone can tell. Nearly all culture, even those that have been isolated from ‘modern’ society have found a way of fermenting fruits and other vegetation in order to produce one form of alcohol or another; even elephants are known to walk miles in search of fermenting fruits which get them drunk.

The problem as always is in the excesses of our society today. In moderation alcohol has health benefits and it can be enjoyed in a sociable and responsible way, adding to the foundation of our society. There is and was nothing wrong with the traditional meeting place in the local pub, if anything the erosion of this tradition has played its part the erosion of our communities. I know this first hand, because there are few, if any good local pubs in my area, they nearly all chase the ‘student pound’ discounting heavily and reducing their standards as a result. There are also few local shops, people instead going to out-of-town supermarkets. As a result I really don’t know people in my neighbourhood. This is just one consequence of the decline of the local pub.

The message is straight forward; drink sensibly and enjoy the health and social benefits; drink to excess and suffer ill health and social exclusion and decline.

Alcohol retailers have to play their part as well and Responsible Alcohol Retailing is one of the first steps. This does not mean that you miss out on profit. I am prepared to travel for 30 minutes to get to a pub I like in my ‘area’; when there are 3 within walking distance. If you get it right you don’t need to take part in the price wars, you can come out on top simply by putting the effort in.

Here is a question, if you have 3 members of staff offering a poor service to customers and 3 members of staff offering excellent service, which costs more? The answer is simple they cost the same; just with one you will make a profit and with the other you will give any potential profits away.

At Beyond The Blue we provide proactive employers training for their staff at every level. From the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) to the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR). We also run courses in Conflict Management and Resolution (CMR) which not only provide candidates with techniques and skills to manage Workplace Violence, but also help develop customer service skills through the communication exercises we demonstrate.

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Why drinkers do it all again – they only recall the good bits

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Title – Why drinkers do it all again – they only recall the good bits
Source – The Independent
Date – 10 September 2008

It is one of the most well known, least acknowledged secrets of our society; ‘alcohol is a drug’. Like many both legal and illegal drugs it alters our emotional, physiological and mental state. In moderation it can have a positive effect, making us more sociable and more relaxed; but like many drugs in excess it can have very negative side effects and lead to serious health issues including, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cirrhosis of the liver, amongst others; again like many other drugs it can also be highly addictive.

What is less well recognised is the role of licence holders in the supply and sale of alcohol. We all clearly understand the role of doctors and pharmacists in the sale and supply of prescription drugs and drugs sold under licence at our local pharmacy. We accept the great responsibility they have to control drugs for the purpose of healing or relieving pain. The pharmacist is in effect the licence holder and they sell drugs under licence and take personal responsibility for each and every sale. When we go to the pharmacy we don’t blink an eye when we are asked about other drugs we might already be on or when we are told how many we should take a day, or even when we are questioned about our personal habits to ensure we can safely and effectively take the drug we are about to be supplied.

If Personal Licence Holders authorised to sell alcohol or to authorise the sale of alcohol were to ask similar questions of their customers, the reaction would be very difficult. I would challenge you to find a Personal Licence holder in the country who has not made the statement “I think you are a little too drunk…” only to be told by a customer (after a 30 second delay as they struggle to grasp even the basic vocabulary) who is only able to stand thanks to the assistance of their ‘sober’ friend and your doorman, “I’m not drunk, I’ve only had two pints…”

Many Personal Licence holders or Premises Licence Holders do not fully appreciate the very nature of their role, they are authorising the sale of a controlled drug and they have complete responsibility not only for who they sell the drug to, but also the dosage of that drug. To hold this responsible position not only do they not require a degree as in the case of the pharmacist, but many even frown at the 1 day compulsory training they are made to complete.

Even more staggering is the complete lack of understanding of the consumer as to the responsibility the licence holder has for their welfare when they have consumed a drug that alters their mental state after the very first drink to the point where driving becomes dangerous. It’s a paradox that the average customer appreciates the drink drive laws, but refuses to accept the guidance and discretion of the licence holder and their training in regard to how much alcohol is too much…

I’m not advocating that we ever reach a situation where personal licence holders question staff as to their personal habits to determine if they should be allowed to drink alcohol. However I do advocate that they should realise their responsibilities and take them seriously; that they should undergo the necessary training to allow them to make judgements that seek to protect the consumer when the customers own ability to make informed judgements is diminished by their consumption of the drug ‘alcohol’.

The starting point for training is the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) for front line staff serving alcohol, supervisors and managers should be encouraged to obtain the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) and subsequent training such as the National Certificate for Licensees – Drug Awareness (NCLDA) and Conflict Management & Resolution Training (CMR).

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Last orders are called on five pubs every day

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Title – Last orders are called on five pubs every day
Source – Metro
Date – 8th September 2008

It’s not really new news, but it is worse news. The number of pubs shutting continues to rise; most people within the industry already know all about the pressures.

The double whammy of higher costs and less trade is forcing those who have been on the margins to close and there seems to be no help on the horizon; rather there seems just to be more pain. The ‘credit crunch’ which is in itself bad enough, is being talked up into a storm which is making the average consumer feel even poorer than they actually are; commodity prices are going through the roof and these are being passed on to consumers and businesses alike, pubs are getting more expensive to run and regulars have less disposable income. As always, when costs go up, prices go up; when cost go down, prices stay at the inflated level. There seems to be remarkably little noise about the fact that oil has come back down to the $100 a barrel mark from near $150… or little reflection in the cost of fuel…

As for the banks they seem to have gambled and lost; or is that gambled and we all lost as our banking fees rise and service falls.

All in all it doesn’t help when the plight of pubs is ignored, with 36 a week going bust can we assume that this account for over 100 jobs a week being lost, 100 more people claiming benefits, 36 less pubs paying tax into the government’s coffers.. is this really something the government is willing to ignore or make worse through increased taxes and increased legislation?

But it is not all doom and gloom, there are still plenty of pubs making a profit and while growth in the country generally may be stagnant, the housing market faltering and bankers are being forced to struggle by on 6 figure bonuses rather than 7 figure ones…, the UK still has a vibrant economy and there is still a healthy market there for those businesses who can offer value and exemplary service to customers; but where being average used to get you by, now with anything less than excellence it is difficult to turn a profit.

To achieve and maintain excellence the first step is training and ensuring staff on all levels understand their responsibilities and your expectations. Through both bespoke training and Consultancy as well as more statutory courses such as the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR) and the National Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (NCPLH) we can help you meet the expectations of your customers, beat the ‘credit crunch’ and see your business grow.

Please visit our website please visit at www.btbl.co.uk