Is this the end for Happy Hour?
Students look set to be hit in the pocket as a campaign aimed at reducing binge drinking is likely to see roughly half of all pubs end their happy hours.
Following negotiations with the Government, the British Beer and Pub Association has announced that 32,000 of its pub members are to end their happy hours in an attempt to address the problems of binge drinking and related anti-social behaviour. Some chains may also axe drinks promotions altogether.
However, there is some hope for cash-strapped students who like a drink: student-only venues may not necessarily follow suit. Many of those run by unions are already struggling against falling revenues and will be wary of trying anything that risks reducing sales still further. Some, such as Hull University Union's Resnikov bar, have recently begun more regular drinks promotions that have gone some way towards getting more customers through the doors.
Figures from the government suggest that binge drinking costs the UK roughly £20 billion a year, although many other countries such as Luxembourg, France and Germany consume more alcohol than Britain.
Speaking to BBC News Online, British Beer and Pub Association spokesman Mark Hastings said, "Our members have committed themselves to stop running promotions which can fuel excessive drinking and we're looking for support from the government and police." He went on to suggest that banning drinks promotions such as happy hours will help promote responsible drinking for all to enjoy.
Chains that have already signalled their agreement to joining the campaign include pubs owned by:
- Carlsberg
- Heineken
- Scottish and Newcastle
- Youngs
- Theakston
- Diageo
- All Bar One
- Slug and Lettuce
- Pitcher and Piano
Pressure is also being put on supermarkets and off licences selling cut prize booze to support the campaign.
In response to the developments, a spokesman for the Home Office said, "The government supports the drinks industry in working towards ending promotions which encourage speed drinking, including all-you-can-drink and other Happy Hour sales."
The announcements come after the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee published a report earlier this year saying that it wished to see an end to cheap drinks promotions.
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