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New Year Review

Operational, BEda comment, January 2007, COMMENTS

Happy New Year everyone.

So here we are in 2007. No doubt during this year we will all make our resolutions. Interestingly some of the Government’s proposed agenda for this year seems read a bit like a series of traditional New Year’s pledges writ large: a) stop nation smoking, b) get nation to drink more moderately, c) try to get nation healthier. What level of resolve the Government will show on these issues will only emerge over time.

BEDA is keen that we too have strong resolutions. We’re resolved to keep pushing hard for a proper implementation of the smoking ban. We’re also looking to clarify what can be done in terms of customers smoking outside licensed premises. In addition we’re also keen to try and reach out to bring in those customers who were put off by smoky premises - and to encourage them to come and see what socialising in a smoke free environment feels like. In early 2007 we’re commissioning a piece of Scottish research into smoking and licensed premises to ascertain how customer attitudes have changed post Scotland’s smoking ban. This information will undoubtedly help when we come to plan for the ban in England and Wales.

More generally, as an association, we’re also resolved to keep offering the best advice we can to our members. Anyone who has been looking at the BEDA website (www.beda.org.uk) will not have failed to notice that the new site has a lot more content on it. We’re also putting the latest news pieces up there to keep our members fully up-to-date with what is happening in the late night sector. With the new site we’re keen that it fully meets our members’ needs and so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

In 2007 we’re resolved to continue to work closely with our partners in government to deliver some sensible solutions (i.e. not the ones where the on trade takes the sole blame) to try to help lessen alcohol fuelled violence. BEDA has been making the point for a very long time that licensees are the least likely to want to have alcohol fuelled problems on their doorsteps as it affects them more than anyone else. We’re also keen that we get a level playing field with the off trade ensuring that cheap alcohol promotions in the off trade should receive the same condemnation that they received in the on-trade. It is very heartening to hear of MP John Grogan’s desire to continue to push this point in parliament.

In 2007 we’re resolved too to actively discourage drunks from coming into towns and cities. One major campaign BEDA is working on in 2007 is to get customers to understand that if they have massively over indulged at home they won’t get served in licensed premises.

This initiative is part of our growing roster of corporate social responsibility projects which includes BEDA’s Nottingham Project, our continued support of Best Bar None, and the Smirnoff Shine Award. The awards and CSR initiatives serve a multitude of purposes. Firstly they improve conditions for customers and staff. Secondly they raise standards of training and knowledge. Thirdly they provide a defence when any queries arise regarding problems with premises and fourthly they help create a safe, attractive atmosphere that customers want to come back to time and time again.

One interesting piece of information (which relates to point three above) which has just come to light relates to how licensed premises may soon be obligated to prove their social responsibility credentials in their due diligence defence. A case in the Divisional Court has just concluded that even though a small corner store did show due diligence (despite not having a refusals book) this defence might not be considered for other larger premises.

Our legal counsel Graeme Cushion from Poppleston Allen concluded: “Our view has always been that the use of a refusals book is the best possible due diligence that can beshown. It should be reviewed every month by the manager and signed off as having been reviewed.”

Every indication points to the fact that 2007 is going to be another year of change and uncertainty. For our part we’re resolved to continue to work hard to help deliver the best trading conditions in this ever-evolving market.

Words: Paul Smith (Executive Director of BEDA)

From: January 2007 Issue

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