Pubs say cheers to a 50p lifesaver
Landlords in Lincoln have urged the Government to scrap cheap supermarket booze deals – saying it could save their industry.
Struggling boozers say cut-price alcohol deals in the shops are responsible for pouring their profits down the drain.
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Shops could be required to charge at least 50p per unit for drinks
And many Lincoln pubs are struggling to survive as drinkers choose to stay at home.
The Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has recommended that shops be required to charge at least 50p per unit for drinks.
He says he will continue to push forward with the proposals despite the Prime Minister rejecting the idea.
The plan could double the cost of some beverages sold as "loss leaders" by supermarkets.
Lincoln area landlords claim that their industry, which they say encourages responsible drinking, would be helped.
Maureen Clarke (46), who runs the Dambusters Inn in Scampton, said: "If they put up the prices in supermarkets, it would be good news for the pubs."
She added: "The cheap deals that are available in supermarkets now are promoting alcoholism.
"Kids go in with some pocket money and get older friends to buy drinks for them.
"Supermarkets can buy in bulk and keep their prices down."
For more on local reaction to the call for a minimum charge on alcohol, see Tuesday's Echo.
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by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 11:01AM
“Thanks Teenager and Pub Goer for info. Think I will pass on Tesco value lager. Oh well, better put my wheelbarrow away.”
by Teenager, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:58AM
“Hard times call for desperate measures...I think I may resort to putting lager in my coffee since milk is more expensive per litre than beer.”
by pub goer, .Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:31AM
“There lynn..Thanks Teenager..
Compettition time..Anyone know cheaper??
:)”
by Teenager, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:29AM
“Lynn, 4x440ml cans of Tesco value lager costs just 90p...that's just 22.5p per can.”
by lynn, lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 10:16AM
“Pub Goer, Lincoln - Pray tell me where you can buy booze at 30p a can ? I'll be straight round there with a wheelbarrow.”
by Pub goer, ,,Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 8:59AM
“Let`s cut to the chase..
My first wage as an apprentice was around £13wk gross. I was buying a pint for around 12p.
Today with the minimum wage, a 16yr old will be on £140wk gross, and can buy booze for what?, 30p a can!?
Please let`s get a little perspective into this ridiculous pricing argument..
" It¿s blatantly just another scheme to exact more cash from a general public that¿s already been hard-hit by the recession. "”
by Teenager, Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 8:39AM
“The plan to sell alcohol for no less than 50p per unit may well provide much-needed stimulation to the pub industry, but deter binge-drinking it won¿t. Removing cut-price booze from the supermarket shelves will only force more binge-drinking onto our streets, leading to an increase in public disorder and the alcohol-related burden on the NHS that the government perpetually tells us it wants to eliminate.
We need education, not legislation.
No alcohol laws can transform an ingrained drinking culture - how naïve to think that Donaldson¿s proposal may succeed where, historically, even prohibition has failed.
As a teenager, I¿m bombarded with messages about ¿responsible drinking¿ on a daily basis¿and they have little influence. Throwing public money at top medical advisers and advertising campaigns only raises awareness of the binge-drinking issue - it¿s no solution. Teaching respect for alcohol begins at home.
The Chief Medical Officer should stop presenting this idea on the pretext of improving public health. It¿s blatantly just another scheme to exact more cash from a general public that¿s already been hard-hit by the recession.”
by Pub goer, ..Lincoln
Wednesday, March 18 2009, 6:16AM
“""If Sir Liam Donaldson's recommendations are implemented and the price of alcoholic drtinks is artificially inflated, it will do nothing to deter binge drinkers or help those with a drink problem.""
I`m afraid that serves to prove the point that is being missed Adrian.
Supermarket achohol is priced artificially low, and used as a loss leader.”
by Mr Sneer, Derision on the Wold
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 11:31PM
“In all honesty, SuperAC1, I really don't care. I already do 95% of my drinking in the pub anyway, so it won't affect me that much. If Old Jowlface wants to commit political suicide in this way, he's more than welcome to as far as I'm concerned.”
by SuperAC1, Lincoln
Tuesday, March 17 2009, 10:25PM
“Mr Van Cleef must be completely wrong. If not then how come Scotland are already pushing ahead with the idea?
Are they no longer part of Europe? Another bonus that people get up there that we English don't?
AC”