OTS p12 Comment Jun09.qxp 28/05/2009 09:40 Page 12
comment
Why do the rules change for
some, but not for others?
When the Scottish Government announced last month that it ots
would not be extending the off-trade alcohol display restrictions
to visitor centres at distilleries and breweries, it was applauded.
Editorial
For those who don’t know, as part of the new Licensing Act Editor Kevin Scott
off-licence premises will not be able to have more than two
0141 222 5385
kscott@55north.com
sitings of alcohol and there can be no cross-promotional activity
such as hanging bags of crisps next to cans of beer. The aim is
Publishing Director Antony Begley
0141 222 5380
to reduce impulse purchasing of alcohol, so it makes perfect
abegley@55north.com
sense to make these important tourist attractions exempt from
Advertising
the changes. After all, Scotland relies on tourism revenue to
keep the country ticking and the Government should be doing
Advertising Manager Brian McShane
0141 222 5383
everything it can to ensure that visitors to these shores have the
bmcshane@55north.com
most enjoyable experience imaginably, filling our collective
Classified Sales Sandra Campbell
coffers as they do so.
Executive scampbell@55north.com
The fact the Government has taken time out to ensure the law is amended to suit these types
Commercial Director Paul Begley
of attractions is commendable and proves that changes can be made on grounds of common pbegley@55north.com
sense.
Design
Why then, did it not also take the time to level the promotional playing field in the on and off-
trade? When 1 September rolls around and distilleries fill shelves in multiple areas of the shop,
Chief Designer Bryan Mullen
0141 222 5301
with whisky sitting next to Glencairn crystal glasses or framed photographs of its pot stills, pubs
bmullen@55north.com
will have to contend with strict new promotional codes that aren’t applicable in the off-trade. The
Junior Designer Richard Chaudhry
new health bill will hopefully bring in restrictions that will see the nature of off-trade promotions
rchaudhry@55north.com
changes, but who knows what those restrictions will entail, or when they’ll see the light of day.
The on-trade meanwhile, will have to cease many promotions that may have been the only
Circulation
reason some customers came into the venue. Circulation Manager Cara Thomson
Kenny MacAskill has many phrases he likes to roll out when talking about alcohol. One of
0141 222 5381
cthomson@55north.com
them is: “it’s not the drink, it’s how we’re drinking it.” Fair enough, but if you can still walk into
any supermarket in the land and buy beer for less than water (another of the Justice Secretary’s
On-Trade Scotland is a member of PPA Scotland
favourite sayings) then it’s hardly helping to change our relationship with alcohol, is it?
and is published by 55 North Ltd under licence
The question remains that if Mr MacAskill and the rest of the SNP administration can find the
from William Reed Business Media Ltd.
time to make amendments to suit some tourist attractions, then why can’t they find the time to
55 North Ltd, Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo
Street, Glasgow G2 6AY · Tel: 0141 22 22 100 ·
help others? Because that’s the problem, pubs are also tourist attractions, and with absolute no
Fax: 0141 22 22 177 · Website:
disrespect to distilleries and breweries, they are far more important to the fabric of Scotland. Our www.55north.com · ISSN 1749-3838
pub industry is faltering, if not in irreversible decline, and the Government remains happy to
make the decision on whether or not to stay in or go out on a Saturday night even easier for the
public by allowing the off-trade to sell alcohol below cost price.
The Government should be doing everything in its power to help the pub trade as it has
helped visitor centres, and yet it is doing next to nothing. By the time it gets round to addressing
the issue of promotions in supermarkets it will be too late for many pubs, and where will the
tourists go then?
On-Trade Scotland is distributed free to
qualifying readers. For a registration card, call
0141 222 5381. Other readers may obtain copies
by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe
airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail).
Kevin Scott, Editor
Quote of the month
Fighting the lure of the living room is one of the biggest issues for the on-trade these days
Printed by Stephens & George Magazines,
Merthyr Tydfil · Telephone: 01685 388888
and OTS’ favourite quote this month comes from CAMRA chief executive, who says that
modern technology can never compete with the local. “Well-run community pubs not only
provide a safe and relaxed environment for people to enjoy a drink but they also form the
bedrock of community life and people’s social networks. Virtual networking sites such as
Facebook and My Space will never be able to replace the experience of socialising in person in
the Great British pub.”
· 12 · ots · june 2009 · www.55north.com
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