Licensees back minimum pricing campaign

Licensees up and down the country have been adding their voices to The Publican's​ Make it the Minimum campaign.

We are urging the government to introduce a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol sold to bring an end to irresponsible cut-price booze deals.

We believe this will not only stop supermarkets selling alcohol as a loss-leader, but will also encourage more people to drink in the nation's pubs which already sell drink at responsible prices.

And the campaign has certainly struck a chord with licensees.

Sunnil Panjabi, licensee of the Punch Tavern in London's Fleet Street was among the first to show his support.

He said: "I think it's wrong that supermarkets are able to sell alcohol as a loss leader. It's okay to do it on food, but alcohol is the wrong thing to be selling in this way. I just don't believe in promotions on alcohol.

"It's important to raise awareness of what is being done through campaigns like this."

Tina Hill, of the Britannia Inn, in Truro, Cornwall, is also backing Make it the Minimum: "I fully support this campaign. Supermarket prices are ridiculous and pubs are struggling because of it. It's killing the trade and something has to be done."

Meanwhile Michael Holder, of the Red Lion, in Wadhurst, East Sussex, said: "Publicans have to pick up the pieces of cheap alcohol sold by supermarkets.

"In the parks near us there are empty cans of strong beers and bottles of wine we don't sell."

And John French, of the Plough & Fleece in Cockfield, Suffolk, said: "I was in Asda this week and there are cases of beer as soon as you walk in the door.

"That's where binge drinking is coming from. Kids don't come in my pub and get off their faces. The only way forward is a price to alcohol rating."

You too can show your support for the campaign by adding your name to our 10 Downing Street petition​ or by emailing your views to makeittheminimum@thepublican.com ​.

Also, please visit the campaign home page​.