New Code Heralds Further UK Pub Closures

Professor Ian Gilmore welcomed the direction of the new government mandatory code on licensing, but expressed disappointment that considerations for the exchequer were outweighing sound and obvious arguments for the minimum unit price.

Professor Gilmore, who is Chair of the UK Alcohol Health Alliance believed that the widening differential between the cost of alcohol in pubs and the cost in supermarket should have been tackled; The proposed tax on alcohol will only be absorbed by the retailer and would probably not affect the price in supermarkets, and would see the closure of more UK pubs where more responsible drinking takes place.

Professor Gilmore asserted that the UK's problems with binge drinking applied to certain groups such as teenagers who take advantage of the cheap supermarket offers.