Brighton alcohol debate to inform policy

Published: 25 January, 2012

A prominent Brighton licensee is disappointed that a debate on alcohol policy in the city failed to recognise the role supermarkets play in contributing to drunken behaviour.

The chair of Brighton & Hove Licensees Association, Nick Griffin, was concerned that long supermarket opening hours wasn't flagged up as a problem in the results of the city's Big Alcohol Debate.

A total of 1,300 people took part in the debate, which explored residents' attitudes towards alcohol in the city, and results showed 61% said alcohol was part of their social life, 36% were worried about the effect it has on people in the city and 39% avoid parts of Brighton because of the way drunken people behave.

In October 2011, the council developed a policy limiting the issue of new licences, and on and off-trade opening hours.

Griffin, who is also the managing director of the city's eight-strong bar group Pleisure Pubs, said: "The real problem is people buying a bottle of vodka from the off-trade or supermarket and pre-loading before they go out. The on-trade can't compete on price with the supermarkets who lure people in with special offers."

Griffin initially accused the campaign of being one-sided because businesses weren't invited to engage in the consultation. He has since received assurances from the council that it will engage in an open debate.

Dr Tom Scanlon, Brighton & Hove's director of public health and chair of the city's Alcohol Programme Board, said it is taking the results seriously and will be discussing with partners how it can do things differently.

"There is a message coming through that people would welcome an alternative to the drinking culture and that they are concerned about the availability of alcohol and the effects of drunken behaviour in the city."

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