Glasgow Board refuses supermarkets under Public Health objective
May 25, 2010
The Herald newspaper reported on 25th May that Glasgow Licensing Board has refused to allow a number of supermarkets to increase the amount of space given over to alcohol because retailers could not prove the plans would meet one of the 5 licensing objectives, namely “promoting and improving publlic health”. There is speculation that the retail giants will challenge the rulings in court.
Dr Evelyn Gillan, Chief Executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said “We applaud Glasgow Licensing Board’s courageous decision to refuse applications to six supermarkets to expand store space so they can sell more alcohol.
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 requires Boards to consider the protection and improvement of public health when deciding whether or not to approve licences. There is good evidence that increasing the availability of alcohol leads to an increase in health and social harm. Glasgow has one of the highest number of alcohol related deaths in the UK. The Licensing Board are rightly taking the view that allowing supermarkets more space to sell alcohol can only make a bad situation worse.
It is extremely worrying that the supermarkets – who are the biggest offenders of irresponsible promotions – are threatening Glasgow Licensing Board with legal action when the Board is simply following the spirit of the law and putting public health first. I hope other Licensing Boards in Scotland will follow the example set by Glasgow and will not be intimidated by threats from big supermarkets. Scotland can improve its relationship with alcohol and limiting availability in supermarkets is a positive step in the right direction.”