Late-night opening fails to halt violence

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Title – Late night opening fails to halt violence
Source – The Independent
Date – 5th February 2008

The fact that the average extension in licensing hours across the country is only 21 minutes speaks volumes about the overzealous media hype regarding the so called 24-hour drinking and is anyone really surprised that violence has gone up between 3am and 6am? Was that not one of the points of the Licensing Act 2003?

At the time of the debate police were asking for staggered closing times to allow them to deal with problems consistently throughout the night rather than all at the same time at 11pm. So if alcohol related crime as a whole is the same, but there has been a rise in crime between 3am and 6am then one of the objectives has surely been achieved as there must have been a reduction before 3am.

Obviously any level of crime is an issue that should be addressed and crime rising at any time is an issue, but let’s not change the goalposts half way through the game, but rather enforce the rules that already exist fairly.

The Licensing act 2003 introduced additional restrictions as well as additional freedoms on the licensed retail sector, they took power from magistrates and put it in the hands of local authorities and now the local authorities are the ones complaining that they have no control and that problems persist. It does seem they wanted the control and now don’t want to accept the blame for the lack of progress.

The licensed retail sector as a whole wants to eliminate alcohol related crime as much as anyone. The burden is not just on society, anyone who really understands the business realises that it puts a burden on the industry as well. Increased regulation, increased costs in relation to security and infrastructure and loss of trade all add to the problems the industry faces. If part of that process is to remove rogue traders then the responsible retailers will support that, if the solution is to support those that are trying to act responsibly but struggling through the burden of regulation or the lack of local support from authorities then there are ways to address that as well.

But ultimately the fact is that while it is easy to suggest that more powers would be given to “…shut bars if trouble persists”, most within the sector would say in return, the Licensing Act 2003 already provided the authorities with that opportunity and those powers, maybe they should be used effectively first, rather than asking for more.

I once again implore the government and local authorities to think more positively, stop the stick and stick approach and consider for once offering a carrot. There are effective training courses which help businesses and those working within them to better understand their responsibilities, they are proven to improve the standards that outlets have in regard to responsible alcohol retailing. It may just be that a government look at providing support for those who are burdened by the costs of improving, rewarding those who want to be more responsible but are suffering under the regulation to meet the cost of their obligation. Just for once look for a positive approach rather than just the red card, yellow card, restriction, prohibition, revocation approach. Reward alongside punishment might just turn an industry that feels under fire, to one that sees the benefit of adopting responsible alcohol retailing as its core.

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We need a cultural shift to change the way we drink

Title – We need a cultural shift to change the way we drink
Source – The Independent
Date – 5th February 2008

It is very rare that we hear a balanced view in the media, generally there is a point to reporting a story a message that someone somewhere either in the media itself or the government is trying to impose on us, but the Independent seems to have stuck firmly to its name in this case and provided a serious and balanced editorial on the recent licensing review. It is a position we have been advocating and one we wish that the authorities would consider rather than using the headlines to score political points.


When finally a balanced view is presented, for once I don’t feel the need to comment further on it, but simply to allow visitors to our website to read for themselves.





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Killed by drink contest

Title – Killed by drink contest
Source – Unknown
Date – February 2008

Stories like this tragic case should be a warning to all, not just those working in the licensed retail sector, but everyone in our society.

On any night of the week there will be groups of young and old across the country indulging in 'drinking competition', some will take the form of literal drinking competitions such as in this case. More often than not it is simply peer pressure that result in one person feeling pressure to keep up with another or a group in the quantities being drunk. If they fall behind the perception is that they are somehow inferior or less of a 'man'.

It takes more courage to lead, it takes more courage to stand up for yourself and if you want to be seen as a 'man' then make your own choices and decisions.

Alcohol consumption is something we do to have fun, to relax and to enjoy the company of those we are socialising with; it is often referred to as part of leisure activities. This means it should be an activity we partake in when we are trying to de-stress, if there is any peer pressure, then it becomes a stressful activity and one to be avoided. If there has to be stress in life, then save it for work, if stress materialises in our own time then we should avoid it and choose our 'friends' better.

This is easier said then done sometimes and it is for those working in the licensed retail trade to help create environments where these pressures are easily avoided.



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Pubs to fight £250m ban on patio heaters

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Title – Pubs to fight £250m ban on patio heaters
Source – The Metro
Date – 31st January 2008

So now that the licensed retail sector has been blamed for almost every woe in the country, it is now receiving the blame for climate change….

You have to worry sometimes what will be next, MPs and MEPs blaming pubs and clubs for the destruction of the rain forests because of their use of toothpicks? Climate change has been acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest dangers and should be a priority for our governments to tackle; we all know that if even George Bush acknowledges it as a problem then we can guarantee that it is a real threat… but patio heaters… honestly….?

Surely MEPs have something better to do, like tackling the real reasons for climate change and the industries that actually contribute substantially to global warming. Reports like this actually have the opposite effect, people know that banning patio heaters can’t save the planet. Obviously every little bit helps and if there is a way we can reduce the effects of CO2 emissions we should look at it, but tackle the big issues first before alienating everyone and turning what has become a popular willingness to change our lifestyles to protect our planet, into one that people resent and start to rebel against.

If MPs could change their vocabulary and stop using words like 'ban' they might also get a better response from those people affected by their comments. Smokers are not the only people who benefit from patio heaters, we all like the fresh air sometimes and in our country that means having some form of outside heater for many months of the year. Is the solution simply a ban, is that really all the 'great and good' that we elect can come up with?

We pay tax, that tax helps pay for the governance of our country and the people we elect to run it, when will they learn that their job is to come up with solutions. The word ‘solution’ does not mean ‘dictatorship’, ‘ban’, ‘censorship’, ‘restriction’ etc; it means if patio heaters really are a tiny part of the problem we as concerned citizens will choose to act, those working in the licensed retail trade are as concerned about climate change as anyone. But don’t just ban patio heaters, provide a solution or alternative or at least find a way for people (our customers) not to lose all their creature comforts.

Televisions use vast amounts of electricity, are these the next to be banned? Obviously not, after all if they are how are our politicians going to preach at us? Would people object if televisions were manufactured without standby buttons so you were forced to switch them off after use rather than have them drain electricity when on standby? Probably not.
My message to our government; we want positive action on climate change, but if you really believe that banning patio heaters is the solution you really have not for one second understood the actual problem. Maybe you could turn off some of the lights in your mansions, cycle rather than use the Jag, holiday closer to home, scrap parliament and the lords (turning the lights out as you leave for the smaller offices required by a dictatorship) and stop spouting so much hot air yourselves.

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MP calls for smaller wine glasses

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Title - MP calls for smaller wine glasses
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 30th January 2008

This does seem to be yet another step too far and a fundamental misunderstanding of how to the problem of excess alcohol consumption. With an industry already reeling under the heavy burden of legislation it seems a very poor way to try and tackle problems that occur generally in society, by once again specifically targeting the licensed retail sector.

Society has changed over the last twenty years, the licensed retail sector has had to follow to keep up and the consumption of wine that has rocketed in this time is just one example of that change. Does this MP really believe that people sit at home and still drink out of 125ml glasses and only on special occasions? That is just simply unrealistic and doesn’t happen. I would suggest that he visits any retailer, which will prove that people do not drink wine in these measures any more. Visit IKEA and see how many of their prolific choice of wine glasses measure 125ml; there will be very few. Are we suggesting IKEA should be banned from selling anything but 125ml glasses so that people can protect themselves from excess consumption at home (where the majority of wine is drunk)?

That there is a problem generally in society with excessive alcohol consumption is one thing and the figures speak for themselves, but if the best that an MP can come up with to solve the problem is to enforce the sale of wine in pubs only in 125ml glasses, then really we are electing the wrong people.

There can only be one realistic solution in a free society and that is to make people aware of the facts and let them choose for themselves. Certainly wine consumption in larger glasses may, by many, be misunderstood with regard to the number of units they are consuming, but the answer is simply to make them aware, provide them with the true facts, let them make their own decisions and help them to understand the health risks and the results of their alcohol consumption. A more open, transparent and honest licensed sector can be part of the solution, but if MP’s are going to continue to promote a blame culture where the licensed retail sector is portrayed as the devil, then the mistrust that many people already have of government is going to stall and potentially ruin any chance they ever had of gaining positive co-operation.
My message to MP’s is simple. Stop trying to legislate at every opportunity to divert the blame from the real problem and look for positive partnerships and please think of the bigger picture. Is the size of a wine glass the most important thing you have to consider and do you really believe that this can in anyway solve the bigger problems in our society?

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Alcohol Units Guide

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Title – Alcohol Units Guide
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 22nd January 2008

The Licensed Retail Sector has changed since the original standard units were introduced and the customers outlets are competing for have changed, but customers are still working on the old unit system. This is in part responsible for the growing numbers of people drinking to excess.

Products sold in the sector are now sold in bigger sizes and stronger ABV’s, we need to ensure that customers are made aware of this so that they can continue to make informed decisions for themselves rather then being dictated to.

A responsible licensed retail sector is not one that dictates, but rather one that informs and guides with the pricing structures and control measures in place to protect those customers who appreciate this responsible alcohol consumption, from those people who will ruin other customer’s enjoyment by their excesses.

The changes need to happen industry wide, it will make the sector less volatile and reduce overheads such as security costs and damage repair, not to mention bring people in who currently don’t use licensed retail facilities because of the binge drinking culture.

Our portfolio of BIIAB Courses can help businesses and organisations develop their employees and business in a responsible and professional manner.

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

Pub chain limits parents’ drinks

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Title – Pub chain limits parents’ drinks
Source – www.bbc.co.uk
Date – 4th January 2008

This seems to be a perfect example of how a company policy can be misunderstood, misrepresented and misinterpreted and the actions of an employee or manager can be blown out of proportion. Employees are often put under pressure to provide a reason for their decisions and they should provide one, but they have to get it right first time and be honest. Telling a customer that they have to leave after 2 drinks to prevent “cruelty to children” effectively says; “to stop you being cruel to your children” implying that the parent is irresponsible. Is it any surprise that when told it is a company policy the customer went straight to the press? The “nanny state” is one thing, but when pub chains join in at this level, people will react badly.

So what was JD Wetherspoon trying to do? Follow the licensing objective “protection of children from harm”? Are they taking it too literally? The legislation is there for a reason, but not for licenses to dictate how parents behave.

But JD Wetherspoon should be applauded for taking a lead in responsible alcohol retailing rather then being chastised. It does sometimes feel like the Licensed Retail Sector is blamed when it doesn’t act and blamed when it does. The policy may be well thought out, but maybe in this one instance not well executed. But like a goal keeper, one mistake can affect the whole team, good training can make all the difference.

JD Wetherspoon posted this response to the news article on their website.
Basically, if parents are accompanied by their children when they visit our pubs we have a responsibility as a pub company to ensure that this is handled in a professional manner and in a way that is in keeping with our duty of care to our customers.

Below are the guidelines by which our pubs address the issue of children in our pubs:

• Adults that are accompanied with children wishing to purchase an alcoholic drink should purchase a meal


• Once the meal has been finished and tables cleared it is our recommendation that only one more alcoholic drink should be purchased for each adult

If parents and their children are visiting our pubs and purchasing non-alcoholic drinks, then there is no limit to the number of drinks that can be purchased or the length of stay at the pub.

In all situations it is important that our Pub Managers assesses the behaviour and attitude of the parents as well as the interests of other customers to ensure the situation is handled in a suitable manner.As a company we do not want to restrict families visiting our pubs, if fact, we actively encourage families and have recently won an award for our children's menu.

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