‘All you can drink’ promtions to be banned in NI

NI’s Minister for Social Development Nelson McCausland is introducing a ban on fixed price drinks promotions in NI which is due to be introduced next January.

The ban, which will complement the Responsible Retailing Code NI, in effect since the beginning of September, follows public support for such a move, will see the end of ‘all you can drink for £20’-type promotions.

The ban has been welcomed by Pubs of Ulster as a “significant step forward in brining an endn to irresponsible practices within the industry” PoU’s Chief Executive Colin Neill stated, “We have lobbied for this change and we welcome the announcement. Our approach is that legitimate and responsible promotions are important in a commercial operation but irresponsible promotions have no place in our industry”.

He added that the industry had worked hard to stamp out such promotions as they promoted drunkenness and represented a “race to the bottom”.

The minister’s initiative forms part of a wider review that’s also examining below cost selling in the multiples to which Colin Neill commented, “Pubs of Ulster is also encouraged to see that Minister McCausland has recognised the role supermarkets now play in the sale of alcohol in Northern Ireland.  We hope that measures to control the price of bulk purchases of alcohol in supermarkets will also help address the wider issue of alcohol misuse and abuse.”

The minister’s announcement was also welcomed by the Northern Ireland Drinks Industry Group.