Campaign for shatterproof glass wins new backing

The campaign to get pubs and clubs to switch to shatterproof and plastic glasses has been backed by the Institute of Licensing (IOL).

The institute is urging all 700 of its members - solicitors, consultants and other professionals working on licensing issues in England and Wales - to distribute petitions supporting the move.

Launched in Taunton after 21-year old model Louise McClintock (above) was blinded in one eye following an attack, the campaign is aiming to collect 50,000 signatures before delivering the petitions to Downing Street later this year.

More than 7,000 signatures have already been collected to date, and campaigners hope the IOL will give the initiative a fresh boost.

James Button, chairman of the Institute of Licensing, said shatterproof and plastic glasses would make going out in the evening safer across the country.

"The institute will press hard for this policy to be adopted across England and Wales," he declared.

Pubs and nightclub operators which have already switched some outlets to shatterproof glass include Yates and Luminar Leisure.

Steve Dennis, executive director of Luminar Leisure, said: "This company urges suppliers of drinks which customers like to 'drink from the bottle' to move towards supplying these in PT (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles - and selling these to us at the same price as glass bottles."

Related articles:​

Plastic bottles on trial at Luminar (29 July 2004)

Police launch shatterproof glass campaign after attack (9 June 2004)