Will the constant negative coverage of the drinks industry ever stop asks John McNamara, chief executive of the BII.
Once again the industry has been used as an easy target. This time it came in the form of another documentary from the BBC - The Money Programme (BBC2, October 27). Will this kind of coverage ever stop?
Throughout our industry there are companies and individuals who are doing their utmost to act in a responsible manner, but it seems that no-one wants to hear their story.
I was encouraged to hear John Grogan MP, chairman of the Parliamentary Beer Group, speaking recently at one of our regional events, questioning government statistics showing 70 per cent of admissions to accident and emergency departments are alcohol-related.
He stated that findings from the recent summer sting campaign co-ordinated by the Home Office found that this figure was actually more like 20 per cent. Now, you can call me a cynic but I don't remember anyone reporting that anywhere.
People seem to forget that the pub plays a vital role within the community. Pubs have helped to turn town centres from what were essentially ghost towns to thriving cultural areas, and inject an estimated £73,000 each into local economies per annum. One point, which I must make clear, is that the balance between pub and community should be a happy one.
I think it would be interesting to highlight other positive facts, which have failed to be reported in the national newspapers recently:
- More than 40 million adults enjoy socialising over a drink and the vast majority act responsibly
- The industry contributes up to £13bn in VAT and excise duty on sales alone
- The trade employs 900,000 people and one in five new jobs are in the hospitality sector.
What particularly frustrates me is that people are still under the illusion that pubs are going to be open 24 hours a day. Feedback from our members has shown that the majority will look to extend opening times by only one or two hours.
The businesses that will flourish under the new act are those that take this opportunity to think differently and respond to a changing market place in a responsible manner. Pubs are an integral part of people's leisure time and the community. Tell me this. When was the last time you attended a leaving do at a café?