JDW boss criticises joint drink promos

JD Wetherspoon CEO John Hutson has criticised police attempts to harmonise drinks promotions at bars in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Police asked four outlets in the Riverhead area - including bars owned by Walkabout operator Regent Inns, Laurel, and JDW - to sign an agreement saying any drinks promotions offered will be the same in all four venues.

The idea came from Grimsby Walkabout area manager Terrance Isaac-Griffiths, who said: "By creating a united front on pricing and entry policy it allows customers to make an independent decision to visit a venue."

Licensing officer Stuart Catmull said: "There will still be drinks promotions, but they'll be the same in all Riverhead venues, so it's up to customers to decide where they want to go without being led by prices."

However, Hutson said he believed the Walkabout was the only venue to sign up to the pricing agreement.

He said: "Reading between the lines, [police] are trying to force this through. Having common promotions would be a cartel. I think the public would be let down by that."

Under the "Riverside Charter" agreement, operators are also being asked to contribute voluntarily to funding night marshals to patrol the area. Walkabout has pledged £1,000 to the fund but Hutson feared it could be "a backdoor way of signing up to more security".

A Laurel spokeswoman confirmed that the company's Yates bar had not signed the Charter. The MA was unable to contact the fourth venue - Musika - for comment.