Brokenshire to speak at RDR Conference
The Government minister handling controversial plans to overhaul licensing is to speak at this year's Responsible Drinks Retailing (RDR) Conference.
Home Office minister James Brokenshire has been confirmed at the must-attend event, which is organised by the Morning Advertiser and sister title Off Licence News.
It takes place on Wednesday, 10 November at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel, London - tickets are free and still available.
The industry will be eager to hear what Brokenshire has to say on the Government's proposals, which include a late-night levy, a ban on below-cost sales and giving councils, police and residents more powers over licensing.
The minister will join top-draw speakers from across the industry, and others involved in issues around the responsible sale of alcohol.
Results from a him! survey of 500 18 to 24 year-olds on their drinking habits will also be revealed at the day-long Conference.
There will also be break-out sessions on specific topics.
Email evxxv.zhqvr@jvyyvnz-errq.pb.hx or call 01293 610396 to book a place.
Meanwhile, there's still time to enter the RDR Awards, which will be unveiled at the Conference — the deadline for entries is Monday 11 October.
Categories are available for the best pubwatch, licensee, pub company, local authority and initiative.
There are two Why Let Good Times Go Bad? awards — one for going the "extra mile" and the other for "smarter thinking", as well as the PASS award for best practice on the door.
Sponsors of RDR 2010 are Diageo, Drinkaware, the British Beer & Pub Association, JD Wetherspoon, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and Serve Legal.
Other confirmed speakers:
• Rob Andrew and Superintendent Julie Whitmarsh, Newquay Safe Partnership
• Bill Donne, Reading Pubwatch
• Robert Humphreys, Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) chairman
• Michael Kheng, of previous RDR award winner Kurnia
•Charlie Mowat, Serve Legal director
• Neil Robertson, Best Bar None chief executive
• Brigid Simmonds, British Beer & Pub Association chief executive
• Paul Smith, Noctis executive director
• Chris Sorek, Drinkaware chief executive
• Alistair Turnham, night-time economy specialists MAKE
