Commenting on the Government’s announcement today on a minimum unit price for alcohol, Keith Bott, chairman of the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) pointed out that SIBA was the first industry body to cautiously welcome the idea of minimum pricing when it was introduced, and said: “We therefore welcome today’s announcement – so long as the policy is implemented in a way that genuinely helps to close the gap between beer prices in the off- and on-trade, and encourages people back into the pub.”
He continued: “We, along with other industry bodies, have for years been promoting the pub as the home of responsible drinking, and draught beer as a lower-alcohol drink, to be enjoyed as part of a social interaction rather than as an end in itself. Beer drinking in pubs stands in marked contrast to the consumption of higher alcohol drinks in unsupervised environments, and we are pleased that the Government is finally recognising this distinction.”
In a separate statement, Nigel Wright, chief operating officer of managed pub group TCG, also welcomed the announcement and commented: “Well managed pubs and bars are the safest, most enjoyable and social places to enjoy a sensible drink. However, every town centre pub and bar operator has to deal with pre-loading. Groups of customers arrive at our venues after drinking alcohol at home.
If minimum pricing genuinely helps to level the playing field between the off-trade and the on-trade, it will not only help keep pubs and bars competitive, but should also have social benefits in tackling the problems associated with excessive consumption of cheap, supermarket-bought alcohol.”