WSTA argues "majority" don't pre-load
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) has warned the government against giving councils the power to ban cheap supermarkets deals, arguing "the majority" of people don't pre-load.
In its submission to the consultation on the mandatory code of practice, the trade group says: "It is illogical to suggest (as it has been) that restricting promotions on multiple cases of wine or volumes of spirits has a link to "pre-loading" before people go out.
"Data from Nielsen shows that the majority of people don't drink before they go out and that the majority of those who do, don't have any more than one or two drinks."
As part of the code local authorities would have the power to ban bulk off-trade deals, which could encourage people to buy more than they normally would.
A ban of this type has been left out of the national conditions and at a consultation meeting last month, attended by The Publican, a Home Office official suggested there was a lack of evidence showing that pre-loading was contributing to alcohol-related problems.
Meanwhile, the WSTA warns that the code could mean higher prices for drinkers. It says the news laws will add unnecessary red tape and the cost will eventually be met by consumers.
WSTA chief executive Jeremy Beadles said: "We have approached this consultation constructively from the start but, while we share the government's ambition to tackle the minority of irresponsible businesses and consumers, we fear this code in its current form is unlikely to have the desired objective of reducing alcohol disorder - it's time for a rethink."
