Posted: Thursday, 21 March 2013 @ 11:15
After what it seems like endless years of bad news for the trade, the government apprears to have woken up to the damaging declne in business and its effects both on the commercial well being and the social life of of the nation.
First came the news this week that the government is abandoning its plans to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Whilst the aims were and continue to be laudable, it was always going to have the greatest impact on those law abiding folk who pose no risk and who do not drink to excess. A case of hitting the majority for the sake of the small minority. And for the health professionals aghast at the about turn, there are many who say again that minimum pricing is unlikley to have a significant impact unless the bar is set so high that only the very rich can indulge.
The latest news comes from yesterday's Budget. Has George Osborne turned into a beer drinker? Has he discovered the delights and virtues of real ale? So the hated beer duty escalator has gone, and to add the cherry on the ale cake a whole penny of a pint!
Bu clouds are still gathering, with many battles to come over the Late Night Levy and Early Morning Restriction Orders. Local licensing authorities, encouraged by the police who have budget problems and wish to cut back on after midninght overtime, are now seriously considering these draconian measures. The late night economy is under serious threat.
Nigel Musgrove
Licensing Law Specialist
Tel: 0845 003 5639
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