New campaign to help publicans that are pressured to serve drunks
The British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) has partnered with National Pubwatch and Drinkaware, with input from the Home Office, to create two poster designs, which make clear that it is an offence under the Licensing Act 2003 to knowingly sell alcohol to a drunk, or to obtain alcohol for a drunken person for consumption on a licensed premises.
As was as supporting staff, the campaign aims to raise public awareness and help ensure a safe and sociable drinking environment in pubs.
The posters can be downloaded for free from the BBPA website or from the National Pubwatch website for local scheme members. They will also be made available to the Government’s 20 Local Alcohol Action Areas and to BBPA member companies to promote or distribute to their pubs.
BBPA chief executive Brigid Simmonds said: “These posters are designed to help licensees, who can be put in a very difficult position and risk breaking the law if pressured to serve drunken customers.
“We need to make sure that the public fully understands that these are offences. Working in partnership with the Home Office, National Pubwatch and Drinkaware on initiatives such as this is a highly effective way of promoting responsible retailing.”
Crime Prevention Minister Lynne Featherstone said: “Raising awareness of the law is a key part of tackling the significant problems around drunken and disorderly behaviour.
“We challenged the alcohol industry to do more to promote responsible drinking and I welcome the BBPA’s campaign.”
