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Minimum alcohol prices for Oldham | Minimum alcohol prices for Oldham |
(about 23 hours later) | |
By Richard Bilton Reporter, BBC Panorama | By Richard Bilton Reporter, BBC Panorama |
How the new bar would work for drinkers | |
"You go out on Yorkshire Street on a Friday night and you are taking your life in your own hands," says a local resident, "It's frightening". | "You go out on Yorkshire Street on a Friday night and you are taking your life in your own hands," says a local resident, "It's frightening". |
Yorkshire Street is the main drinking area in Oldham which had a 200% increase in serious violent incidents in the first four months of this year. | Yorkshire Street is the main drinking area in Oldham which had a 200% increase in serious violent incidents in the first four months of this year. |
That's a stabbing or an assault with intention to kill on average every Friday and Saturday night. | That's a stabbing or an assault with intention to kill on average every Friday and Saturday night. |
But the Greater Manchester town has come up with a unique way of fighting back the recent spike in alcohol-related disorder. | |
The council believes promotions such as 2-4-1s, drink as much as you can for £5.99, and free shots, have fuelled an atmosphere of violence. | The council believes promotions such as 2-4-1s, drink as much as you can for £5.99, and free shots, have fuelled an atmosphere of violence. |
Oldham saw a 200% increase in violent crimes in the first four months of 2009 | Oldham saw a 200% increase in violent crimes in the first four months of 2009 |
So it decided to review the licences of each of the 22 bars and clubs that sell cut-price drinks. | So it decided to review the licences of each of the 22 bars and clubs that sell cut-price drinks. |
They have been told that if they want to sell alcohol at less than 75p a unit - about £1.88 for a strong pint of lager - they will have to change the way they operate. | They have been told that if they want to sell alcohol at less than 75p a unit - about £1.88 for a strong pint of lager - they will have to change the way they operate. |
This move could have wider significance, as Oldham's attempts at changing the culture of drinking are being monitored by several other UK towns which could follow suit. | This move could have wider significance, as Oldham's attempts at changing the culture of drinking are being monitored by several other UK towns which could follow suit. |
Oldham council has come up with a model of how its bars could be forced to work if the minimum price is not adopted. | Oldham council has come up with a model of how its bars could be forced to work if the minimum price is not adopted. |
Under the new conditions, drinkers will not be allowed to approach the bar and must wait in a post office style queuing system instead. | Under the new conditions, drinkers will not be allowed to approach the bar and must wait in a post office style queuing system instead. |
Customers would also only be allowed to buy just two drinks at a time and outlets could be made to provide extra door staff as well as paying for police officers to watch over the bar. | Customers would also only be allowed to buy just two drinks at a time and outlets could be made to provide extra door staff as well as paying for police officers to watch over the bar. |
Any bars or clubs that refuse to follow the council's new blueprint, could lose their licences. | Any bars or clubs that refuse to follow the council's new blueprint, could lose their licences. |
These changes are aimed at tackling violence and changing the atmosphere of the whole town, according to the council's licensing officer Tony Allen. | These changes are aimed at tackling violence and changing the atmosphere of the whole town, according to the council's licensing officer Tony Allen. |
"The price of alcohol became so cheap that it was attracting people who didn't have a lot of money to spend. | "The price of alcohol became so cheap that it was attracting people who didn't have a lot of money to spend. |
"That type of clientele was attracted to the town and that, we think, led to more violence and more issues concerning over-consumption," he explains. | "That type of clientele was attracted to the town and that, we think, led to more violence and more issues concerning over-consumption," he explains. |
The Old Mess House bar successfully appealed against the conditions, after complaining it is unfair to condemn them for violence that happens elsewhere. | The Old Mess House bar successfully appealed against the conditions, after complaining it is unfair to condemn them for violence that happens elsewhere. |
But most of Oldham's bars have accepted either the proposal or a version of it. | But most of Oldham's bars have accepted either the proposal or a version of it. |
It's about trying to get people to drink in moderation Cllr Mark AllcockOldham town council Alcohol unit guide | It's about trying to get people to drink in moderation Cllr Mark AllcockOldham town council Alcohol unit guide |
"It scared me to death at first, until I looked at it properly," says Martin Diaper who runs Bar 62, and agrees that something has to be done. | "It scared me to death at first, until I looked at it properly," says Martin Diaper who runs Bar 62, and agrees that something has to be done. |
"I think it will deter the premises that are doing the stupid drinks offers. They had to do something, it was going crazy." | "I think it will deter the premises that are doing the stupid drinks offers. They had to do something, it was going crazy." |
But not everyone is as enthusiastic - Jane Ganley runs another bar in town called Vogue and has mixed views about the plans. | But not everyone is as enthusiastic - Jane Ganley runs another bar in town called Vogue and has mixed views about the plans. |
"I think it is going to cause more problems because more people are going to jump the queue and aggravate others," she says. | "I think it is going to cause more problems because more people are going to jump the queue and aggravate others," she says. |
But she agreed charging more for drinks will cut down on the amounts of alcohol being consumed. | But she agreed charging more for drinks will cut down on the amounts of alcohol being consumed. |
"If you get 2-4-1s there are going to be people drinking double the amount for less - if drinks are full price then they are going to drink slower," she adds. | "If you get 2-4-1s there are going to be people drinking double the amount for less - if drinks are full price then they are going to drink slower," she adds. |
Cllr Mark Allcock, from Oldham town council, says its plans are aimed at slowing down the consumption of alcohol and reducing binge drinking. | Cllr Mark Allcock, from Oldham town council, says its plans are aimed at slowing down the consumption of alcohol and reducing binge drinking. |
"It's about trying to get people to drink in moderation," he explains. | "It's about trying to get people to drink in moderation," he explains. |
Jane Ganley who runs Vogue think the bar model would cause more trouble | Jane Ganley who runs Vogue think the bar model would cause more trouble |
But Oldham council hopes the new conditions will not be needed at all because bars will agree to stay above 75p a unit instead. | But Oldham council hopes the new conditions will not be needed at all because bars will agree to stay above 75p a unit instead. |
"What we are trying to do is work with the law", says Mr Alcock, "We are trying to work with the licensees - and we are actually achieving that unit price." | "What we are trying to do is work with the law", says Mr Alcock, "We are trying to work with the licensees - and we are actually achieving that unit price." |
One city where tackling happy hour is already having an impact is Edinburgh. | One city where tackling happy hour is already having an impact is Edinburgh. |
In Scotland there will be a ban on irresponsible drinks promotions in bars from next month, but owners have already anticipated this move and many have stopped them already. Panorama was told this has led to a 20% reduction in violent crime in the city. | In Scotland there will be a ban on irresponsible drinks promotions in bars from next month, but owners have already anticipated this move and many have stopped them already. Panorama was told this has led to a 20% reduction in violent crime in the city. |
But Oldham could still be the first town in the UK to effectively push for a minimum price in bars. | But Oldham could still be the first town in the UK to effectively push for a minimum price in bars. |
Last year, research published by Sheffield University - and commissioned by the Department of Health - concluded increasing the price of alcohol would be one of the most effective measures to tackle alcohol abuse. | Last year, research published by Sheffield University - and commissioned by the Department of Health - concluded increasing the price of alcohol would be one of the most effective measures to tackle alcohol abuse. |
The Sheffield team found that a 50p minimum price would lead to a cut of 7% in alcohol consumption across the board and 10% cut among heavy drinkers. | The Sheffield team found that a 50p minimum price would lead to a cut of 7% in alcohol consumption across the board and 10% cut among heavy drinkers. |
However, the government rejected the 50p figure proposed by England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson, because it is unfair on the "average drinker". | However, the government rejected the 50p figure proposed by England's chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson, because it is unfair on the "average drinker". |
Panorama: The Truth About Happy Hour is on BBC One, Monday 10 August at 8.30pm. | Panorama: The Truth About Happy Hour is on BBC One, Monday 10 August at 8.30pm. |
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