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ADZ discount drops to 90% for the ontrade

Published:  23 July, 2008

Further changes have been made to the regulations covering controversial Alcohol Disorder Zones (ADZs).

Licensees in an ADZ will now only be offered a discount of "up to 90%" if they are part of an accreditation or award scheme which "seeks to reduce alcohol related offending".

In the previous version, which was withdrawn, pubs and bars were being offered a 100% discount if they were a member of Best Bar None or other "similar recognised accreditation schemes".

However, supermarkets and corner shops will still avoid paying the charges, which could be up to 100 per week, because the regulations exclude premises where alcohol is "not the main reason, or one of the main reasons why individuals enter or remain on the premises".

Other changes include the scrapping of a "bespoke" appeal process if a premises refuses to pay the charges.

The Home Office is maintaining that ADZs will be in force this month, but doubts have been raised by the British Beer & Pub Association.

ADZs will be implemented where there is a repeated nuisance to the public related to alcohol. However in the guidance to ADZs, they are referred to as a "last resort" and it calls for police to use powers instead under the Licensing Act if they are "clearly identifiable" badly run pubs and off-licences.

The ontade trade is strongly opposed to ADZs. Many argue that Business Improvement Districts are a fairer alternative.

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