The Government's attitude to pubs has become "more absurd" — that's the stinging attack launched by JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin this morning.
As Wetherspoon unveiled record first half year profits (Record profits at Wetherspoon), Martin took a swipe at the "dictatorial" approach the Government takes on pubs.
Martin slammed the recruitment of under-18s sent in to try and buy drinks from pubs and the introduction of the two-strikes rule in January.
"This sort of entrapment is prohibited in most areas of the law. It is an astonishing error of judgement to use such draconian tactics against pubs which are regarded by the great majority of people as extremely valuable social institutions."
Instead Martin said the Government should look to schemes such as Best Bar None and Pubwatch.
"As in many areas, co-operation and commonsense are more effective than headline-grabbing and ill-thought-out initiatives."
Martin said the fines for serving under-18s were "unfair" because it was parents who permit 16 and 17-year olds to use pubs. "The only method which pubs can use to try to stop those under 18 is to check IDs constantly.
"This is exasperating for those over 18, while expensive and confrontational for publicans.
"This red tape and greatly increased taxes for pubs have contributed to pubs' closing in unprecedented numbers in recent years, with a devastating reduction of many communities' social life.
"The crackdown on pubs may actually exacerbate the problems of binge drinking, since it has resulted in more drinking, especially by young people, in the unsupervised environments of parties, streets and parks."
Martin also pointed out that the Government missed out on taxes by not acting acting to help stem the flow of pub closures.