WSTA urges trade to be ready for October 1st Mandatory Code changes
24 August 2010
The WSTA is urging the drinks trade to be ready for new rules requiring all licensed premises to have an age verification policy in place and offer small drink measures to their customers.
The new rules come into force on October 1st as part of the Mandatory Code on alcohol retail, introduced by the previous Government. They require that:
• All licensed premises must have an age verification policy in place that ensures anyone who appears to staff to be under 18 is asked to show photographic ID with their date of birth and a holographic mark on it before they are served alcohol
• All licensed premises must provide and make customers aware of (on menus or when ordering) the following measures*:
• Still wine in a glass: 125 ml
• Gin, rum, vodka and whisky: 25 ml or 35 ml (depending on the measure you normally serve)
• Beer and cider: half a pint
The possibility of scrapping the Mandatory Code is among the options being considered as part of the Coalition Government’s current consultation on licensing.
However officials have indicated there is more pressure to reconsider the age verification requirement due to the high associated compliance costs, than to revisit the issue of small drink measures.
In the meantime both new rules will come into force on October 1st as originally planned and guidance on these conditions will be issued nearer the time.
WSTA Chief Executive Jeremy Beadles said: “It’s vital businesses are aware of these changes and ready to comply when they come into force. I’d also urge businesses, which want to see Mandatory Code conditions affecting them overturned, to respond directly to the Government’s licensing consultation with evidence of the cost imposed on their business.”
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Notes to editors:
Mandatory Code
The Licensing Act 2003 (Mandatory Licensing Conditions) Order 2010 set out the five new conditions that will apply to all licensed premises and those with a club premises certificate.
From 6th April 2010, these conditions:
• Ban irresponsible promotions;
• Ban the dispensing of alcohol directly into the mouth; and
• Ensure that customers have access to free tap water so that they can space out their drinks and not get too intoxicated too quickly.
From 1st October 2010, these conditions will also:
• Require an age verification policy to be in place to prevent underage sales; and
• Ensure that customers have the opportunity to choose small measures of beers, ciders, spirits and wine.
*This does not prevent premises from serving larger sizes, such as 250ml wine, pints or doubles, although all measures offered must comply with relevant Weights and Measures legislation.
WSTA
The WSTA is the UK organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 310 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.
We campaign to promote the industry’s interests with governments at home and abroad.
We work with our members to promote the responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.
For more information please contact Gavin Partington:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7089 3876
Mob: +44 (0) 7966 014058
Email:
WSTA conference highlights changing UK market
11 August 2010
Leading figures from the wine and spirit trade will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the UK at this year’s WSTA Conference, to be held in London on September 15th.
Among those considering developments in the UK marketplace are Majestic Wines CEO Steve Lewis, Beam Global’s Managing Director Europe Jonathan Stordy and Asda’s recently appointed Beers, Wines and Spirits Category Director Adrian McKeon.
A further session will consider the opportunities in Duty Free and travel retail markets, with contributions from World Duty Free’s Head of Buying, Fraser Dunlop and P&O Ferries’ Head of Buying, Neil Towns.
The conference, hosted by WSTA Chairman Tim How, will also hear the latest market analysis from research houses Nielsen, CGA and Wine Intelligence.
This year’s event is sponsored by Tetrapak, the Drinks Business and Drinks International.
WSTA Chief Executive Jeremy Beadles said: “This is a great opportunity to hear from some of the leading figures in the trade as the industry faces fresh challenges and a new legislative agenda under the Coalition Government.”
“I hope this year’s Conference will once again provide insight into the changing tastes of UK consumers and the opportunities that lie ahead for the trade.”
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Notes to Editors:
WSTA Annual Conference
Wednesday, September 15, 2009
BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London W1J 9LN
Sponsors: Tetrapak, the drinks business, drinks international
The WSTA is the UK lobbying organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 310 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.
We campaign to promote the industry’s interests with governments at home and abroad.
We work with our members to promote the responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.
For more information please contact Gavin Partington:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7089 3876
Mob: +44 (0) 7966 014058
Email:
WSTA response to launch of consultation on licensing and ban on below cost sales
28 July 2010
The Coalition Government has today launched a consultation on proposals to reform the Licensing Act and introduce a ban on the sale of alcohol below cost price. Commenting on the announcement, WSTA spokesman Gavin Partington said:
“The WSTA supports a ban on selling alcohol below the level of duty plus VAT and we are keen to work with Government on this issue to ensure any future legislation does not discriminate against any particular section of the drinks industry.
“We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on licensing laws but it’s worth remembering that local authorities and police already have substantial powers to refuse and remove licences from problem premises.
“We hope any changes in this area focus on tackling problem drinkers and premises and don’t add unnecessary costs and burdens to the vast majority of responsible consumers and businesses.”
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Notes to editors:
WSTA
The WSTA is the UK organisation for the wine and spirit industry representing over 320 companies producing, importing, transporting and selling wines and spirits.
We campaign to promote the industry’s interests with governments at home and abroad.
We work with our members to promote the responsible production, marketing and sale of alcohol.
For more information please contact Gavin Partington:
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7089 3876
Mob: +44 (0) 7966 014058
Email:
