Yates boss predicts that longer hours will lead to more disorder
by John Harrington
Yates has become the first pub company to predict that later licensing will lead to an increase in binge drinking and disorder.
Yates chief executive Mark Jones has also labelled the British Beer and Pub Association's (BBPA's) new guide on drinks promotions "irrelevant and meaningless" and called for the legal age for buying alcohol in off-licences to be raised to 21.
Writing exclusively for the Morning Advertiser, Jones foresees a worrying scenario of increased disorder when the new laws go live, which could lead to pressure on the Government to slap extra tax on alcohol.
He said if every pub wants to stay open four extra hours per week, this would mean the equivalent of 3,000 new pubs in the UK. As a result, there would be great pressure for pubs to cut their drinks prices, and more "rogue" operators offering irresponsible promotions.
Jones added: "Most damagingly, [the new laws will lead to] a certain increase in alcohol consumption on our high streets and consequently the potential for more, not less, disorder."
Jones, who has already called for a 2am cap on opening times for pubs, warned that the industry is "ill prepared" for the change over. "No one can deny that for many pubs some extension of hours will be beneficial to customers and licensees alike. However, to follow this liberalisation through to our high streets in town and city centres is flawed."
The Yates boss said the industry must do more to solve the problems of binge and underage drinking, adding: "Solve it we must ahead of licensing liberalisation for if we fail to solve it, and crime and disorder go up, then a draconian alcohol tax probably looms."
Expressing fears of an upsurge in irresponsible drinks promotions under the new regime, Jones said: "I'm sorry, but the recently-published BBPA code of conduct on promotions is both irrelevant and meaningless in the control of these it's a compromise document when we need leadership."
In reply, BBPA spokesman Mark Hastings said: "Mark's comments are particularly surprising as Yates Group recently launched a responsible retailing policy that draws on and reflects not only the BBPA promotions code, but also other BBPA and broader industry good practice. As BBPA member companies that own nearly two thirds of the nation's pubs are operating the promotions code, it is already having a real and meaningful impact.
"As the Government publicly stated last week that they are going to work with the BBPA and industry to see the code enforced across the sector, it clearly has genuine relevance to the current agenda. Our leading role in developing and setting standards in this critical area of corporate social responsibility is recognised by Government, not least in statements by a number of Ministers in recent weeks."
Expressing his view that off licences should not sell alcohol to under 21s, Mark Jones said: "Our industry, at least, sells alcohol in a controlled environment and deals with rogue customers. Super-markets do not and that should be reflected in an age differential."
l Jones's comment p2
l Host quits over reform p5
l Time for change p9
l Leader column p15
l Coulson's view p16
Irrelevant' or having an impact'?
From the British Beer and Pub Association's Good Practice Guide for Pub Owners and Licensees:
Happy Hours: "Operators need to take a responsible approach to Happy Hours, as they can be perceived as encouraging excessive consumption." It recommends providing food for early evening Happy Hours, because "some customers may be drinking on an empty stomach". It also says Happy Hours should last for a "sufficient period of time", for example two hours.
Price: "Any promotions giving price discounts according to volume purchased need to be proportionate and based on customer value."
Entry fees: "In some circumstances, entry fees entitling customers to reduced price or free drinks all night, are not appropriate and should be avoided."
Promotions: "No promotion should encourage anti-social behaviour or alcohol misuse." Those in charge of deals should avoid offending "common standards of taste and decency".