Women drinkers are fit to burst

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Title – Women drinkers are fit to burst
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 9th November 2007

Few people can any longer be in any doubt as to the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, it sometimes seems like a new danger is printed in the newspapers on a daily basis.

Even if the long term damage to health is well known the short term dangers such as ruptured bladders are often ignored.

Just as responsible alcohol retailers are all too aware the social disorder created by excessive alcohol consumption or 'Binge drinking' as well as the huge cost to the tax payer from the health problems it can cause, they should also be aware how high up the political agenda this subject has now reached.

The time has come for the industry as a whole to take the lead on this matter, before the government legislates on it and the industries costs spiral as a result.

The first step is staff training. The industry already has a portfolio of staff training courses through the BIIAB and Beyond The Blue is accredited to administer these courses. These include: 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). The advantage of these courses apart from the skills they provide you and your staff with is that they provide you with a defence of due diligence if things do go wrong.
We can also help you with consultancy projects that can examine your business and help you become 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.

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

500 Pubs adopt 24-hour drinking

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Title – 500 Pubs adopt 24-hour drinking
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 8th November 2007

Statistics don’t lie, they can be manipulated and distorted to suit the needs of those trumpeting their cause for one reason or another, but ultimately if they were to be presented accurately then it would be much more difficult for those bold statements to be made simply to serve a particular purpose.

“…hold Britain’s pubs, bars and off-licenses to account for the nations binge drinking culture…” seems very convenient excuse for the very many factors that lead to alcohol related problems. Rather than deal with the actual problem, society as a whole is being curtailed and the vast majority who enjoy consuming alcohol responsibly are being targeted. How different really is it from saying that burglary is on the rise; burglary predominantly takes place at night; so there should be a restriction on how late we are all allowed to walk the streets at night?

Certainly the licensed retail sector can do more, training staff and enforcing responsible alcohol retailing strategies is a start, but the more of a barrage they are put under the more they will dig their heels in. Maybe reward for responsible alcohol retailers is the answer? Why should the local licensee in a village pub and their customers who have had no alcohol related incidents, no binge drink related problems, who provide customers with all the information they need to make positive decisions and who have an effective policy of zero tolerance towards drug and alcohol related crime, be treated the same as a rogue retailer who ignores the rules of law and of the industry, where trouble erupts on a weekly basis and whose drunken customers cause disturbance to the local population, put children in danger or ignore (or worse promote) a drug and binge drinking culture?

Is our society and government that one dimensional that they can not deal with industry players on an individual basis rewarding the good and restricting the bad? Why should the good retailers not open until 2am and the bad one close at 10pm?

So let’s look at the real problem and how these statistics might be read by someone who does not have a political axe to grind and who would not say black is white if they thought it would contradict what the other party has said. There are 460 pubs in the country that have 24-hour licenses. Being generous, each one might have an average capacity of 200, so in total 10,000 people will be able to be drinking at any one time 24-hours a day assuming they are so popular that they are at capacity 24 hours a day…. There are somewhere in the region of 56-58 million people in the UK. That to me suggests that just under 0.02% of the population is drinking 24 hours a day or binge drinking (as the opening hours are one of the main reasons some politicians give for our binge drinking culture). This is of course assuming that the 460 pubs with 24-hour licenses are actually using them every day, rather than just using them for a few extra hours here and there and for special occasions…. I would be really very grateful to know where these 24-hour pubs are, as I have yet to come across one, maybe you can email me and let me know and I will don my stab proof vest and pay you a visit.
Do you feel my analysis is a little flippant? If you think yes then you are right, it is, but do you think it is any more flippant then the reporting in much of the media or the points scoring by 'our' politicians in the House of Commons who seem only to have one solution, prohibition. Did history teach us nothing?

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

Pub smoke campaigner fined £500

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Title – Pub smoke campaigner fined £500
Source – Metro
Date – 6th November 2007

In everyone's lifetime laws change and this change alters the status quo for those affected, but all too soon we accept changes and wonder how we ever put up with things the way they were before.

Who would ever accept someone lighting up a cigarette on a tube platform in London or on a transatlantic flight? Yet it was only in 1987 that the Kings Cross fire that killed 31 and resulted in enforcement of the smoking ban throughout the London Underground and only since the 1990’s since smoking was banned on all flights. How long will it be before not smoking in pubs and restaurants will be entirely normal to all of us?

Those who oppose the ban are fighting a loosing battle as are their businesses. Protest is the right of everyone in our society, but not when it involves breaking the law.

Surely no one can be in any doubt who the winners and losers are in the retail licensed sector, following the ban. Those outlets that embraced the ban as an opportunity, have been rewarded in the most part with success. In many cases they have increased trade by simply providing suitable facilities to accommodate smokers and benefiting from the smoke free environment by increasing sales on their improved food offering as well as making their venue more accommodating to a wider audience, specifically female friendly.

At Beyond The Blue we provide a comprehensive portfolio of BIIAB accredited licensed retail sector 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 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.

If the smoking ban has hurt your business, it is never too late to embrace the opportunities it provided and to re-claim your old customers from your competitor.



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

Stamping out staff assaults

Title – Stamping out staff assaults
Source – Metro
Date – 6th November 2007

Assaults on staff in any workplace in unacceptable and all employers have a duty to work with the authorities to reduce and minimise the risks to their staff. As quoted by Chief Constable Ian Johnson “staff assault….. is not an occupational hazard” in no working environment should any employer accept any level of staff assault.

Although police involvement can be part of the solution, it has to be in conjunction with effective in-house measures looking at the working environment, protective equipment and most importantly staff training.

We offer Conflict Management and Resolution courses and Physical Intervention courses specifically designed to suit the working environment of the client. Through a Training Needs Analysis we evaluate the training needs and provide training solutions. Through our consulting service we can help you devise solutions to your workplace violence problems and reduce their incidence.



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

BRC survey reveals human cost of retail crime

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Title – BRC survey reveals human cost of retail crime
Source – British Retail Consortium
Date – 30th October 2007

Retail crime is on the increase, but more alarmingly acts of violence and abuse against retail staff are on the increase, as the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) prove and these are just the reported figures. Every retailer knows that the actual figures are undoubtedly much higher as many retailers simply don’t have the time or confidence in the system to report all acts of violence, aggression and abuse they face. Sadly some even accept it as a natural part of their working environment, which is a step too far.

With over half a million reports last year alone, even these official figures equate to nearly 10,000 incidents of abuse or violence in these workplaces every week, a figure that when taken in conjunction with the many more unreported incidents, is truly frightening.

The BRC suggest that a different attitude and approach needs to be taken by the authorities, police and courts towards those criminals that prey in the retail environment and this is certainly the case. However as that campaign moves forwards, all employers also need to be looking at better ways of protecting their own staff from such incidents, in their own workplace.

We offer Conflict Management and Resolution Courses designed specifically for the environment in which your staff are employed. We carry out a Training Needs Analysis prior to the course to address the root of the problems employees are facing and then deliver courses that are relevant to their every day needs. Our courses can help to reduce the levels of violence and aggression faced by your staff through good practice; this in turn can reduce the stress levels of your employees and can reduce overall staff costs through the resulting reduction of absenteeism and stress related sickness. For high risk environments we can also provide Physical Intervention Courses that teach low impact personal safety techniques, these allow individuals to escape potential physical violence, without the need to use strength or force.

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

Home office plans undercover police ‘spies’ in pubs

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Title – Home office plans undercover police ‘spies’ in pubs
Source – Guardian Unlimited
Date – 7th October 2007

An industry in outrage over 'spies' being planted to try and catch people out, but surely not an industry that didn’t see these kinds of steps coming. One of the most fundamental changes in the Licensing Act 2003 that will have a significant long term effect, is that the reins were taken from magistrates and handed to local authorities. This move in effect politicised licensing policy more then ever and pushed alcohol related anti-social behaviour, if not to the top of the political agenda, then close to it.

Many within the industry are still unaware of the sensitivity of the subject and the potential that one or two high profile incidents could be the excuse that the government is looking for to throw more regulation and costs the industries way. Those working within it have to start acting now.

If you run a licensed retail premises of any kind ask your cashiers, waiting staff or bar staff what the fine is for serving someone who is drunk? The vast majority will look blankly at you when you tell them it is an £80 fine. Ask them who is responsible for paying the fine and watch as their jaws drop when you tell them, it is them personally. Now consider that you have employed these individuals and not provided them with the appropriate training to understand their legal responsibilities and the consequences of breaking the law; how long will it be before they start turning round and blaming the employer?

Any employer working within the licensed retail sector has a responsibility to ensure that staff receive adequate training in their different areas of responsibility, training can no longer be restricted to how to pour a good pint and where the crisps are stored.

We provide a comprehensive portfolio of BIIAB accredited licensed retail sector 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 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.

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

Dog collar clergy at risk of attack

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Title – Dog collar clergy at risk of attack
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 7th October 2007

For most people in society a minister from any religious background would be considered a pillar of the community, we would expect such a vivid symbol as a dog collar to afford protection from abuse, aggression and attack, but sadly some elements within our society seem to no longer have any values at all.

If violence in the workplace generally remains under reported, it is a certainty that violence and aggression towards religious ministers is certainly under reported, so we can expect the actual figures to be much higher then this report suggests. It also only concentrates on the Christian church, in today’s society we can expect that violence towards other religions leaders to sadly be potentially even higher.

By their very nature, religious ministers from every religion believe in compassion, forgiveness and understanding, three qualities which themselves should provide protection from violence, but clearly this is not always the case.

We believe that the fundamentals of our Conflict Management and Resolution course and our low impact Personal Safety Training provide effective skills for individuals from a wide spectrum of work backgrounds. Our targeted training courses are tailored to meet the specific needs of the client.
Religious beliefs are in the most part thousands of years old and the way they are taught and practised has often not changed at the same pace as society has eroded. With our expertise we can provide you with skills and perspective that don’t require compromise of beliefs to be effective, but can provide effective measures to reduce abuse and violence in any workplace.

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