Mandatory code blow for industry

Published: 13 May, 2009

The drinks trade has been dealt a further body blow with news that the government is to indroduce a mandatory code outlawing certain drinks promotions.

All you can drink promotions in pubs and clubs will now be a thing of the past as a result of Prime Minister Gordon Brown's latest crackdown.
The Prime Minister called time on Britain's booze binging today, announcing a tough crackdown on the drinks industry.
The industry has reacted with dismay at the move, the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) saying that a mandatory code would heap more pressure on an industry already struggling under recession.

Jeremy Beadles, Chief Executive of the WSTA, said: "With businesses facing falling sales in the middle of a deep recession, a further set of rules and regulations which add to day to day costs is hardly welcome.

"The Government is keen to emphasise that it wishes to tackle the minority of irresponsible businesses and consumers.

"We support this objective but need to be clear that these proposals don't just add more bureaucracy to responsible businesses and unduly punish the majority of responsible consumers.

"We will consider the detail of the proposed mandatory code and respond fully in due course."

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