The Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers (ALMR) has urged the Government to impose a ban on below cost selling of alcohol by supermarkets.

Hot on the heals of a Christmas meeting with the Licensing Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and the Home Office Alcohol Team the ALMR is also calling for a reduction in licensing hours for supermarkets.

The group is campaigning as well for the reintroduction of controls on the locations of alcohol displays.

It also wants explicit reference to off-trade promotions in industry-wide guidance on alcohol sales.

ALMR chief executive Nick Bish said: “These are simple steps which the Government could and should take to give a clear signal to the supermarkets that they need to put their house in order – pubs and bars are stamping out irresponsible promotions, it is high time they did so too.

Bish added that the number of 24-hour off-licences had doubled since the Licensing Act (2003) was introduced in 2005, with the majority in supermarkets.

According to the ALMR retail sales of alcohol through the off-trade are up 50% since 1997 and are 24% cheaper in real terms.

“If the Government is serious about alcohol consumption then it must do more to encourage all industry sectors to adopt a more responsible approach to alcohol retailing,” Bish said.

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By Christopher Walton

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