As from this week,2-4-1 happy hours & cheap drink will become history in Scotland....
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/123698/-Same-again-or-a-glass-of-water-
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/123698/-Same-again-or-a-glass-of-water-
Bar staff will have to offer a glass of water instead of alcohol
RETAILERS have warned of confusion and chaos over new drinks laws which come into force on Tuesday.
Days before the biggest change in decades to alcohol licensing, the Scottish Government has been accused of doing too little to inform the public. Industry leaders say they are seeking last-minute âclarificationâ over the legality of offers like three bottles of wine for £10.
The 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act is a complete overhaul of the licence system.
From next week, no alcohol can be sold in shops before 10am, a curb retailers say could inconvenience shift workers and those who shop when stores are quiet.
Under the new laws, bar staff in Edinburgh say they have been banned from asking customers if theyâd like the âsame againâ â and told to offer a glass of water instead.
While the city council insists it has still not decided how to interpret many aspects of the new legislation, mandatory training courses for bar staff are already under way. Some who have been on the courses say that, as well as being told not to offer customers the âsame againâ so as not to encourage heavy drinking, they have been advised to always offer a glass of water.
One who had been on the training course said: âSome of the things we have to do are completely ridiculous, like not asking folk if theyâd like the same again.â
The new rules ban âirresponsibleâ promotions in pubs and clubs, while supermarkets and shops can only display alcohol in specific areas.
Scottish Retail Consortium director Ian Shearer said: âThese changes could prove a recipe for confusion and inconsistency.
âThere have to be clear assurances that enforcement bodies will take a sympathetic, common-sense approach. Mr Shearer said current âguidanceâ suggested the new legislation was not intended to apply to promotions in shops.
But he claimed retailers âcannot face the chaos of disparities and unpredictability in the way different local licensing authorities apply the act.â
However, consumers are expected to welcome the extension to licensing hours on a Sunday, which allows alcohol to be bought from 10am for the first time.
RETAILERS have warned of confusion and chaos over new drinks laws which come into force on Tuesday.
Days before the biggest change in decades to alcohol licensing, the Scottish Government has been accused of doing too little to inform the public. Industry leaders say they are seeking last-minute âclarificationâ over the legality of offers like three bottles of wine for £10.
The 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act is a complete overhaul of the licence system.
From next week, no alcohol can be sold in shops before 10am, a curb retailers say could inconvenience shift workers and those who shop when stores are quiet.
Under the new laws, bar staff in Edinburgh say they have been banned from asking customers if theyâd like the âsame againâ â and told to offer a glass of water instead.
While the city council insists it has still not decided how to interpret many aspects of the new legislation, mandatory training courses for bar staff are already under way. Some who have been on the courses say that, as well as being told not to offer customers the âsame againâ so as not to encourage heavy drinking, they have been advised to always offer a glass of water.
One who had been on the training course said: âSome of the things we have to do are completely ridiculous, like not asking folk if theyâd like the same again.â
The new rules ban âirresponsibleâ promotions in pubs and clubs, while supermarkets and shops can only display alcohol in specific areas.
Scottish Retail Consortium director Ian Shearer said: âThese changes could prove a recipe for confusion and inconsistency.
âThere have to be clear assurances that enforcement bodies will take a sympathetic, common-sense approach. Mr Shearer said current âguidanceâ suggested the new legislation was not intended to apply to promotions in shops.
But he claimed retailers âcannot face the chaos of disparities and unpredictability in the way different local licensing authorities apply the act.â
However, consumers are expected to welcome the extension to licensing hours on a Sunday, which allows alcohol to be bought from 10am for the first time.