With one week to go until the Budget and the forthcoming publication of the Government's Alcohol Strategy expected soon, BigHospitality spoke to health and hospitality experts and operators on the possibility of minimum pricing, the impact on health and social problems and whether the move would help or hinder pubs and bars in their battle with supermarkets.
In this short audio podcast, Professor Mike Kelly, public health excellence centre director at the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) presents the case for a minimum unit price to cut alcohol consumption which the Government claims costs the NHS £2.7bn a year.
In response Tim Martin, founder and chairman of JD Wetherspoon, argues if cutting alcohol is the answer drinkers should be advised by health professional to head to pubs and away from supermarkets. Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR), and Publican Sam, founder of the howtorunapub.co.uk website also give their thoughts on the legality and level of any minimum price.