A ban on below-cost selling, not minimum pricing, is the best way to tackle alcohol-related problems, a trade group has argued.

Responding to fresh calls from MPs for a minimum price, the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) said a ban would be a “sensible and proportionate response”.

Chief executive Nick Bish said: “Unfettered and deregulated access to bargain booze sold at pocket money prices through supermarkets and corner shops is undoubtedly fuelling consumption.

“Pubs and bars themselves now face paying 44 per cent more for Carlsberg or Grolsch than their customers can buy it at Sainsbury’s or Tesco - that cannot be right.”

 

The group also urged MPs to promote pubs as part of the solution to alcohol issues.

“Community pubs deserve our protection and support and we must make sure that any measures to tackle alcohol misuse do not damage them in the process,” added Bish.

However, the Society of Independent Brewers (SIBA) said minimum pricing was “potentially, a way of protecting our pubs, their customers and, ultimately, the health of the nation”.

For the full article go to:  The Publican

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