Aboard the ‘Booze Bus’

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Title – Aboard the ‘Booze Bus’
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 17th December 2007

It is once again a dour picture that is painted of high streets and licensed premises throughout the country. The blame lies fundamentally at the foot of the consumer who drinks to excess and ignores, or is ignorant of the consequences.

However the blame will be laid squarely at the door of he licensed retail sector and the Licensing Act 2003 (or as the tabloids prefer to call it '24 hour drinking') and is sometimes deserved. However, most in the licensed retail sector know all too well that the Act actually (in most cases) put more restrictions, sanctions and responsibility on the personal license holder then the old licensing laws, but public perception is very different.

Licensed retailers have a responsibility to do their part in protecting people from themselves and the excesses and social problems they create, such as those faced by hospitals, emergency services and schemes like the 'booze bus'.

The first step in becoming a more responsible alcohol retailer is training staff at all levels. A better understanding of every individual’s responsibility under the Act will ultimately result in a more professional approach being taken overall by your staff. This will ultimately lead to a less volatile working environment and a more profitable business, protected from sanction by the authorities.

At Beyond The Blue we provide a comprehensive portfolio of BIIAB accredited licensing courses including the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR), National Certificate for Personal License Holders (NCPLH), National Certificate for Designated Premises Supervisors (NCDPS), National Licensees Certificate - Drugs Awareness (NCLDA), Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ) as well as the Award in Conflict Management (ACM). We can also help you with consultancy projects that can examine your business and help you become a more responsible retailer and ultimately more profitable. We examine those systems in place that require change and strengthen those that may have slipped. Many managers end up being so close to their businesses that they simply can’t see the problems staring them in the face, we can all identify with that situation; but the brave ones ask for help to see them and realise the rewards.

For those people working in the health sector and on the 'front line', our Conflict Management and Resolution course and our Physical Intervention course it enables candidates to be able to better protect themselves from the abuse and assaults that they may face in the course of their duties. It goes without saying that any aggression or abuse of those people dedicated to helping others when they most need it, is totally unacceptable, but it is also unfortunately a reality and one their employers need to address. We can help you.

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