Traders have responded to the news that David Cameron would support local minimum pricing on alcohol, calling it “irresponsible”.
The Prime Minister made the comments in an interview with the Manchester Evening News, where he said the plans to introduce a minimum unit price of 50p in Greater Manchester would be looked at ‘sympathetically’.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive, James Lowman, said: “While it is important that communities have the ability to influence the licensing policy and act to tackle alcohol-related problems, it is also important that what they do is evidence-based and effective.
“The Government has already concluded that minimum pricing would not be an effective tool in tackling problem drinking so it is difficult to understand why David Cameron would support the policy at a local level.
“If local minimum pricing is implemented, local shops and national businesses alike will be hit hard by people shopping elsewhere so that they can avoid the restrictions. The Prime Minister’s comments are irresponsible at a time when many local shops are fighting just to stay open.”
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) spokesman, Gavin Partington, also commented on the proposals to introduce minimum pricing in Manchester. He said: “The WSTA supports a ban on selling alcohol below the level of duty plus VAT and we are working with Government as they consult on this issue, not least to ensure any future legislation does not discriminate against any particular section of the drinks industry.
“Our view is that such a policy would have to be applied nationally to work effectively and it does not make sense to propose local minimum pricing which is both illegal and impractical.”
