Executive Leader Calls Time on Supermarkets' Sale of Strong, Cheap Alcohol

Press Release Date: 25th August 2010

Council Leader Cllr Kieran Quinn has called time on supermarkets’ sale of cheap alcohol following a meeting to discuss the subject last week.

Although he stressed that discussions were still at an early stage Cllr Quinn and his Association of Greater Manchester Authority (AGMA)  counterparts met to look at introducing an alcohol unit pricing policy which could potentially be introduced county-wide.

He said it would have to be introduced in all 10 boroughs at the same time if it was to prove effective.

Introducing a unit pricing policy would basically mean the price of strong beers would be increased making them less attractive to buy over the counter at outlets such as supermarkets.

At present special offers mean such beers are cheap to buy and can lead to excessive drinking and drunkenness; something that can lead to such issues as health problems and anti-social behaviour. Selling it at discounted rates is seen as a tactic for getting more customers through the doors.

“This is an issue that had troubled me for some time. Being able to buy excessive amounts of cheap, strong beer with little regard for the potential negative impact it can have on those who consume it and the wider community just doesn’t seem right. I am determined to address this problem,” he said.

Cllr Quinn hopes supermarkets will work with the council on this issue because he identified the special promotions they offer as one of the main culprits.

He also claimed that it could be argued that this issue was a contributing factor in the demise of traditional pubs.

He said: “I’m not saying people shouldn’t drink, everyone, me included, likes to relax with a drink. But it needs to be responsibly. If you walk out of a supermarket with a crateful of strong, cheap alcohol who’s making sure that alcohol is being consumed in a safe and responsible manner?”

But he urged his AGMA colleagues to join him to form a united front on the issue.

“It could only really work if we all do it at the same time, otherwise people would just migrate to where they could still buy it cheaply. If we had to drive it forward on our own it could lead to one of our neighbouring authorities becoming the Calais of the northwest and that’s not something I would want to see happen,” he warned.

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