Publicans back minimum pricing and tougher off-trade controls, IAS report finds

A majority of publicans support measures designed to tackle cheap alcohol sales in the off-trade, including minimum unit pricing, tighter licensing controls and a lower drink-drive limit, according to new research from the Institute of Alcohol Studies.

The report, Behind the bar: what publicans really think about alcohol policy, is based on interviews with 200 publicans across England and challenges assumptions about the sector’s position on alcohol regulation.

Researchers found widespread concern among licensees about the growing shift in alcohol consumption away from pubs and into the home. The report argues that increasing sales through supermarkets, convenience stores and rapid delivery services have contributed both to rising alcohol-related harm and ongoing pressures on the pub sector.

According to the findings, 62% of publicans believe supermarket alcohol is too cheap, while 60% support government action to narrow the price gap between pub and retail alcohol sales. More than half (58%) back the introduction of minimum unit pricing in England, compared with 14% who oppose the measure.

The research also found support for a range of public health initiatives. More than half of respondents favour health warning labels on alcoholic drinks, while 46% support bringing alcohol marketing restrictions into line with those applied to unhealthy food products.

Three-quarters of publicans surveyed said they would support a lower legal drink-drive limit. The report notes that this included significant backing from rural operators, a group often cited as particularly vulnerable to any tightening of drink-drive regulations.

While alcohol policy featured prominently in responses, the report found that operators’ most immediate concerns remain economic. Rent, energy and staffing costs were each identified by 43% of respondents as major challenges, followed by supplier costs (41%) and business rates (33%).

Publicans also expressed support for greater investment in alcohol treatment services and public education campaigns, with 67% backing both measures. A majority (56%) said they would favour stricter licensing controls for the off-trade, compared with 20% who were opposed.

The report concludes that policy makers should distinguish more clearly between alcohol sold in supervised hospitality settings and low-cost alcohol purchased for home consumption. Recommendations include increasing off-trade duty, expanding draught relief, introducing minimum unit pricing in England, giving local authorities greater powers over alcohol sales and deliveries, and providing additional support for pubs through business rates and cost reductions.