Highlands licensing board bans large alcohol displays
The Highlands licensing board has taken a radical step in combating alcohol abuse this week. From 1st December new retail premises will only be able to create alcohol displays of up to 40 square metres; currently large supermarkets have displays of up to 400 square metres.
This is a first for the UK. Councillor Maxine Smith, vice-convener of the Highland Council, has said that “enough is enough”. This decision follows health studies showing that a majority of alcohol abuse is carried out in the home with cheap alcohol bought in supermarkets.
The major supermarkets, including Tesco, Co-op, Morrison and Asda, have 33 stores across the Highlands that have alcohol sections of up to 400 square metres. New stores will not be able to construct similar displays.
If a supermarket applies for planning permission for a display of larger than 40 square metres, it will be rejected. Ms Smith is confident that supermarkets will not be able to successfully challenge this ruling.
Liz Smart, a public health consultant for NHS Highland, told the Highlands licensing board that alcohol abuse is costing the region £383 per person in health and crime costs.
A supermarket giant has already said that the decision will kill investment in the area, however. Morrisons argues that it will not stop binge drinking; people will still buy the cheapest alcohol and drink it, regardless of the range of alcohol that is on offer. A spokesperson for Morrisons said: “These restrictions risk punishing responsible shoppers looking to purchase alcohol as part of their normal weekly shop.”
Kevin Roach, past president of Highlands and Islands Licensed Trade Association, has supported the change. He said that while this will not solve Scotland’s binge drinking problem, it is a move in the right direction.