Pubs back away from happy hour
All-you-can drink promotions and happy hours could be on the way out after a ban from a leading industry body.
In a move to tackle binge drinking and anti-social behaviour all 32,000 members of the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) will today introduce a ban on such promotions.
Pubs under the ownership of Scottish & Newcastle, Heineken, Diageo, Youngs, Carlsberg and Theakston are participating in the campaign, as are popular chains Pitcher & Piano, All Bar One and Slug & Lettuce.
BBPA spokesman Mark Hastings explained that happy hour deals which encourage irresponsible and dangerous drinking no longer have a place in the drinks industry.
“This is all part of our drive to tackle binge drinking and anti-social behaviour in town centres,” he said.
“We are targeting the sort of promotions that fuel excessive drinking. By setting this standard, we are expecting other pubs which are not members of the association to join in.
“We are operating as responsible retailers and we would like others to do so. With the backing of the government, police and licensing authorities, we aim to ensure that all pubs operate to standards of corporate and community social responsibility.”
Mr Hastings also called on supermarkets and independent retailers to take part in the scheme, which has received the full backing of the Home Office.
“The Government supports the drinks industry in working towards ending promotions which encourage speed drinking including all-you-can-drink and other happy hour sales,” a Home Office spokesman said.
“We welcome the British Beer and Pub Association’s positive engagement with this issue.”
