Brighton council accused of one-sided debate on alcohol policy

Published: 14 October, 2011

An attempt by Brighton & Hove council to canvas opinion of residents about the city's alcohol policy has been criticised by local drinks businesses for being one-sided.

Last month the council became the first local authority to call for the government to set different rates of VAT for on and off-licence sales, in an effort to combat pre-loading.

The new campaign, How do you drink yours?, is looking for feedback from residents on how to better balance enjoying nightlife, its contribution to the economy and alcohol-related harm.

A survey asks respondents "Imagine that you are in charge of Brighton and Hove, responsible for the City Council, the NHS, the Police and the rules that pubs, off-licences and other businesses have to follow. What would you do about alcohol?". The next question asks respondents to imagine having made the changes: "What effect do you think this would have on people's attitudes towards drinking alcohol and their drinking behaviour? What would Brighton & Hove be like?"

The local authority is encouraging locals to contribute to a 24-hour tweetathon, via the #bhdrink hashtag, from 3pm today. They are also invited to fill in postcard questionnaires available at events and in bars as well as making video diaries at video pods set up across the city.

Nick Griffin, chair of the Brighton & Hove Licensees Association and managing director of the city's eight-strong bar group Pleisure Pubs, said he felt "incredibly uneasy" about the council's actions, especially since he had not been told about the event until last week, and was the only business person contacted. He said the survey questions were leading, and would not lead to a fair and balanced outcome, especially since it was being carried out overnight on a Friday.

"I could write the story before it happens - they're desperate to hang us," he said. He accused the council of being determined to canvas "every negative view" without consulting business owners.

But a spokeswoman for Brighton & Hove's NHS Primary Care Trust said: "We're absolutely clear that this is not about excluding the trade. We want to get a better understanding of the attitudes towards alcohol from Brighton and Hove as a city. If we only get half a story, that doesn't help - it's not in our interest."

The Tweetathon has already kicked off, and residents have been making their views public. Andy Richards @hoveboy, tweeted: "Brighton's little hypocrisy. Loves its "nighttime economy" but now wants us all to start soul searching about "the probs of booze" #bhdrink."

@Hartington76 posted: "It's not hypocritical to enjoy a drink while wanting to reduce the harm to people and expense to public services #bhdrink", while Peteface212002 said"Alc is just a poison. It's just a drug. It promises relaxation confidence no fear but it gives none of these it just takes."

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