Coalition plots new crackdown on underage drinking |
Charlie Wright, thegrocer.co.uk 28 July 2010 In: Industry news
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The government is set to double fines for off-licenses that sell alcohol to underage drinkers and is planning to extend the powers of local authorities to close repeat offenders.
Announcing a wide-ranging review of the Licensing Act, the coalition said off-licenses could be required to contribute more to the cost of policing, while late-night premises could be slapped with an additional levy.
Home secretary Theresa May also confirmed widely trailed plans to implement a ban on the below-cost selling of alcohol.
A six-week consultation has begun to investigate how a ban might be implemented to gauge public and industry reaction to the other measures.
“The benefits promised by the 24 hour drinking ‘café culture’ have failed to materialise and in its place we have seen an increase in the number of alcohol-related incidents and drink-fuelled crime and disorder,”
“We know that the majority of pubs and bars are well run business but the Government believes the system needs to be rebalanced in favour of the local communities they serve, with tougher action taken to crack down on the small number of premises that cause problems.”
Read more
Saturday Essay: Wake up and smell the end of cheap alcohol (24 July 2010)
Asda to stop below-cost booze sales (24 July 2010)
Experts weigh up the options for ban on below-cost booze (17 July 2010)