Social responsibility" next challenge for trade

The next big challenge for the pub industry is "social responsibility in all its forms", a trade chief has claimed.

Speaking at the BII's annual lunch in London today, chief executive John McNamara said the majority of people were being socially responsible, but the trade must continue to recognise the role it had to play.

In front of around 1,000 people at the Grosvenor House, he also announced details of a new qualification which will educate school children about alcohol.

The Certificate in Alcohol Awareness (CAA) is aimed at children aged 13-16, who will complete the project though a special website and quiz sheets. The scheme is part of the BII's drive to reinforce the positive role of the licensed trade in the community.

"We have been working on this project for many months and it has been developed in response to governmental pressure on underage sales and consumption but tackles the topic from a positive, educational angle," McNamara said. "There have been calls last week to include alcohol education in the national curriculum and this project can aid that."

Pilot trials will run in an inner city London school in July before the scheme is made available to schools.

McNamara added: "I fear that our next challenge will be a backlash against alcohol and whilst we all know that millions of people go out drinking responsibly in pubs every weekend there is still the constant voice of criticism.

"Education is also key to this and a change of cultural perception needs to start early. We can work against this ill informed pressure by publicly showing how we are, and have always been, a huge part of the community."

On a more positive note, the BII's chief executive said the industry still had a lot to shout about. He reserved praise for The Publican​'s Proud of Pubs campaign which he said was "standing up and shouting for the industry".