Pub chiefs warn over use of plastic glass

The British Beer and Pub Association has written to MPs who are backing calls for plastic glasses in pubs saying the measure should be targeted at venues with a history of problems.

Two MPs Mark Lancaster and Julie North have submitted Early Day Motions calling for plastic glasses to be used in premises after 11pm.

We believe such a move, which would force the blanket introduction of plastic glassware across the national pub estate, would be disproportionate​Mark Hastings, BBPA

So far, 39 MPs have signed Lancaster's EDM and 49 have signed North's.

The BBPA has now written to all those MPs who have signed the EDMs saying a solution exists under the Licensing Act 2005 to target venues with a history of glassing and violence.

It says the EDM would affect all most all of the UK's pubs as most now have hours beyond 11pm.

The letter from BBPA director of communications Mark Hastings, who read about the EDMs in the Morning Advertiser, says: "The proposal defined in the EDM would affect virtually every one of the 58,000 pubs in the UK.​

"We believe such a move, which would force the blanket introduction of plastic glassware across the national pub estate, would be disproportionate."

The BBPA, which also points out the environmental implications of plastic glasses, said it plans to send the letter to police and local authorities who are pushing for a glass ban.

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