Licensees urged to attend mandatory code meetings

A series of 10 regional consultation events will take place next month covering the government's controversial mandatory code of practice - and licensees are being urged to take part.

The first event will take place on July 7 in Newcastle and the last will be in London on August 6, the day after the official consultation on the code closes.

The events are free, but licensees must get in quick as they are invitation only - and around only 100 places are available.

A Home Office spokesman said: "The feedback from these events will be used to help us develop the mandatory code to ensure it tackles alcohol related harms such as crime and disorder, public safety, protection of children and health in a targeted and proportionate way that does not harm the majority of responsible businesses."

The Home Office is particularly keen for local licensees to attend the meetings.

The code, currently working its way through Parliament as part of the Policing and Crime Bill, is designed to clampdown on "irresponsible" promotions.

But the trade is concerned about a host of other mandatory conditions which will unfairly affect the vast majority of responsible pubs - including being forced to offer smaller wine and spirit measures and provide free tap water.

The code is also heavily weighed against the on-trade, in comparison to the off-trade.

Last week trade groups sent a joint letter to Home Secretary Alan Johnson urging him to scrap the mandatory conditions.

Meanwhile Lord Redesdale tabled an amendment in Parliament also calling for the code to be abolished.

For more details on the meetings visit: www.alcoholconsultation.co.uk​

To respond in writing to the consultation visit: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/haveyoursay/current-consultations/ or request a paper response form either by calling 0207 035 1759 or writing to Senyo Agbohlah, 4th Floor Peel Building, Home Office, 2 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DF.

Dates of meetings

Tuesday 7 July - Newcastle

Thursday 9 July - Hull

Tuesday 14 July - Liverpool

Thursday 16 July - Nottingham

Tuesday 21 July - Birmingham

Thursday 23 July - Fenlands

Tuesday 28 July - Portsmouth

Thursday 30 July - Cardiff

Tuesday 4 August - Weymouth

Thursday 6 August - London, Westminster