Q Is it really true that serving half litres and litres is actually illegal? Don't we use metric measurement now we are in Europe? I would have thought dual measurement was allowed with any goods we sell (they have moved over entirely to metric in supermarkets). What's the problem?
A Yes, it's true. You don't even have a choice. Although most other goods have to be sold in metric measures of some kind, beer and cider must not be sold on draught in metric measures. In bottles, yes. But not when it comes to pouring a pint.
So why didn't the great British pint go metric? Well, they tried, but there was so much resistance it was considered right for an exception to be made - for milk and beer. While milk is always sold in dual-marked packaging, draught beer has the unique distinction of being ring-fenced against the encroachment of this fiendish measurement from Europe. So those licensees who want to sell in metric are actually prevented from so doing.
You would think Trading Standards officers had better things to do with their time, to prevent people being ripped off. But they say it could cause confusion with the public, not knowing whether the 'pint' they were getting was 568ml or a half litre (500ml). Realising the political pressure for a full pint, which is once again being championed by the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), this question of liquid value for money is considered of critical importance to the British beer drinker.
A cinema licence for juke box?
Q Can you tell me what the position will be regarding video juke boxes under the new system. At our previous pub we had a very successful installation and a good young customer base, but we had to go through some horrendous red tape to be granted what amounted to a cinema licence. We have now moved to another pub and have not yet seen the new premises licence. Would we be allowed to install one here?
A One of the purposes of the new licensing laws was to make local councils give up imposing blanket conditions on all types of premises, so that in future they will not be able to treat you like a cinema (for which all these pre-conditions were intended) and must look at the actual situation.
As things are now, they issue what are known as 'standard terms and conditions' with which all applicants must comply. These in general are laid out in safety regulations issued by the Government, which again are drafted in the main for normal public cinemas. Breach of the conditions is an offence and can result in a fine of up to £5,000.
The Cinemas Act is being repealed and when the new Licensing Act takes effect, film exhibitions will require a premises licence like any other entertainment. In your old pub, the video juke box will merely form part of the entertainment 'package' converted from the existing justices' licence.
If you want to install one now, it may be the new premises licence does not cover it. Check with the brewery and then you will have to apply for a variation of the licence, including advertising and multiple copies of the application, if you want to extend your existing licence. It is hoped the local council will impose only such conditions as are appropriate for your own circumstances.
However, I have to say that safety considerations will still be important, and it may be that they will impose certain extra conditions to ensure the safety of your customers, unless there are already a number of public entertainment conditions in place.