Hospitality Industry calls on government for fairer rules to tackle competition from supermarkets

8th July 2010, 9:01am

Seven of Britain's largest hospitality organisations have joined forces in a call for more fairness between them and the supermarkets - to boost jobs in the sector and stamp out alcohol misuse and anti-social behaviour.

The message of the organisation, which represents restaurants, hotels, pubs and bars, was driven home in a keynote speech by Brigid Simmonds, chief executive of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) to the Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum.

Among the outlined policy initiatives is a ban on below-cost selling, which should reflect the real cost to the retailer, not just be a ban on below tax sales. There is also a call for a review of the Licensing Act to ensure powers to revoke and refuse licenses are used effectively. Additionally, a rebalancing of the alcohol tax system to encourage the choice of lower strength drinks like beer is being proposed.

They are also calling for greater levels of accountability for anti-social behaviour and an examination of the benefits of a different VAT rate for leisure businesses and supermarkets to boost business and jobs.

Simmonds said: "The Government is right to be reviewing the rules and regulations surrounding the way we sell and drink alcohol and the benefits and costs to society and our communities.

"Fundamental to that review has to be the recognition that 70 per cent of alcohol is now sold through supermarkets. This change is driving trends like pre-loading and drinking outside of the social controls of well-managed leisure places like pubs.

"We need to rebalance our system to ensure everyone who sells alcohol is equally responsible and that greater emphasis is placed on the accountability of individuals for the choices they make about their drinking behaviours.

"We also welcome the Government's review of alcohol taxation. The existing tax regime unfairly punishes pubs and responsible drinking. A new tax system that recognises beer as a low-strength, British-produced drink – and the mainstay of Britain's pubs - would be a major step forward."

Related Articles:

• 06 Sep 2010 - Last chance to book for London seminar - promising to "get to the heart of" school meals issues
• 25 Aug 2010 - New Alan Cutler book offers leadership advice to the hospitality industry
• 02 Jul 2010 - BBPA scoops top prize at Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards
• 02 Jun 2010 - BBPA issues guidance to pubs for World Cup
• 21 May 2010 - Pub beer sales drop by 8.8%, says BBPA
• 01 Mar 2010 - BBPA produces guide for pubs during British Tourism Week
• 04 Feb 2010 - British Beer & Pub Association launches 'Kegaware' scheme
• 04 Feb 2010 - Pubs are still closing but at a slower rate, says BBPA
• 28 Jan 2010 - Beer sales could be improving, says BBPA

Click here to submit a comment!

Have your say!

To comment on this article, simply enter your name and email and send us your views. Please note that your comment will appear publicly below this article once it has been processed. For enquiries please email info@eatoutmagazine.co.uk.