Middlesbrough Council first to consult on minimum unit price

July 30, 2010

Middlesbrough Council is thought to have become the first local authority to seek to impose a minimum unit price for all alcoholic products sold under a premises licence.

The council has launched a consultation which states that “where premises are found to be selling alcohol below this price (50p), a review of the premises licence will be sought, if relevant representations are made”.

The paper said that the aim of the policy was to reduce the level of crime and disorder in Middlesbrough, “which has shown to be related to excessive alcohol consumption”.

The local authority justified the minimum unit price, saying it was about “ensuring alcohol is not available at pocket money prices”. Middlesbrough argued that the price would have the greatest effect on strong, cheap alcohol which is traditionally consumed by younger and problem drinkers.

It may also deter so-called “pre-loading”, where alcohol is consumed at home before a night out, as well as anti-social behaviour, the council claimed.

Middlesbrough suggested there were local and national concerns about discounting the cost of alcoholic drinks and other sales promotions encouraging people to consume larger quantities of alcohol.

“The council is also aware of the impact of the availability of cheap alcohol sold through off licence premises, particularly products aimed at binge drinking, problem and underage drinking,” the consultation paper said.

It concluded: “The Licensing Authority is of the view that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that one of the contributory factors to the high rate of alcohol related crime and disorder in Middlesbrough is the availability of cheap alcohol.”

The local authority is also consulting on its cumulative impact policy, its approach to alcohol delivery services, and its policy on off licence sales.