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Despair at 99p a pint in Blackpool
BLACKPOOL'S pubs are heading for a dangerous price war which could lead to a surge in booze-fuelled violence.
That was the dire warning today from police, council chiefs and leading licensees who fear pubs will be forced to sell booze at cut prices after leading chain JD Wetherspoon started offering beer at 99p a pint.
It is believed other venues will be forced to slash their prices to compete with a sales tactic many say will lead to more drunken revellers spilling onto the resort's streets.
While Wetherspoon's bosses today defended their pricing policy, claiming the price of booze did not determine the amount of alcohol-related incidents, Dave Daly, from landlords group Licensees Unite, argued: "The price of alcohol relates directly to alcohol-related violence.
"Alcohol is a mind-altering drug which, if it's not used properly, can be a big problem.
"What Wetherspoon is doing will create a price war where others, including my company, will be forced to follow suit.
"A price war is no good for anyone, we don't want it, it's dangerous and it will only lead to trouble."
Wetherspoon has been accused of breaking a gentleman's agreement between resort pubs not to implement cut price discounts by offering Green King IPA bitter and San Miguel lager at under 1.
The "agreement" between Blackpool pubs states there will be no cut-price drink offers at weekends and only reasonable, moderate pricing cuts during the week.
But that deal could now be blown out of the water by JD Wetherspoon's cut price offer.
The firm runs The Auctioneer on Lytham Road and one venue in St Annes and another in Fleetwood.
But with two new premises soon to open on Market Street and the Promenade, it is feared binge drinking could soon escalate.
Coun Henry Mitchell, head of Blackpool Council's licensing committee, fumed: "We have an agreement in this town and Wetherspoon seem to be running roughshod over it. What they are doing is undercutting other pubs.
"It will make it very difficult for the police and our enforcement teams if other businesses follow suit."
Sgt Billy Giffin, Blackpool Police's licensing department, added:
"We appreciate it is a difficult time for retailers, but they have to act responsibly. Cut price offers encourage binge drinking and all day drinking."
Landlords in Blackpool town centre agree such pricing was a potentially dangerous move.
Adrian Clay, manager of The Raikes, on Liverpool Street, Blackpool, said: "It's socially irresponsible for retailers to sell alcohol at 99p per pint. It'll not only lead to a price war but will also raise problems of trouble and violence.
"I know it's desperate times, but they (Wetherspoon) are not thinking about the consequences and will leave their neighbours to pick up the pieces."
Craig Southall, general manager of Yates in Talbot Square, supports the idea of having the minimum price for an alcoholic drink set at 1.50.
He said: "The focus should be on sensible prices and a safe environment.
"Reducing prices will encourage people to drink more. All of a sudden you can get 10 pints for a tenner and still have change – that's a lot of beer.
"I don't think reducing prices is the way forward, people are being irresponsible and giving it away. It can just get silly."
Steve Morton, alcohol harm policy reduction officer with NHS Blackpool, said: "We are trying to focus on and spend money on more prevention, as opposed to treatment and this flies in the face of that.
"Our licensees have been responsible when it comes to not offering cheap drinks. This would lead to increased harm caused by alcohol and alcohol-related crime."
Wetherspoon's say the drinks on offer at 99p have a comparatively low ABV and are aimed at an older clientele.
A spokesman said: "We take on board what the council has said, however, JD Wetherspoon has never signed up to any price-related agreements.
"Our pubs across the UK and in Blackpool are extremely well run.
"We are not of the opinion that price is an issue when it comes to the behaviour of customers."
There have been a number of violent alcohol-related incidents in Blackpool in the last 12 months, although licensees and police say they have set an example to the rest of the country for in keeping problems to a minimum.
In May a nightclub doorman suffered horrendous facial injuries including a broken jaw, two fractured cheek bones, a broken nose and split tongue, when he was set upon by a gang.
And just two weeks ago, a 21-year-old Blackpool man was savagely kicked and punched on his way home from a night out, leaving him scared to return to the resort's bars and pubs.
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Weather for Blackpool
Sunday 12 February 2012
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Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
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