Pubs industry rejects plan for plastic pint glasses

The latest attempt to curb drink-related incidents by replacing the traditional pint glass with a plastic alternative has sparked anger in the pubs and bars sector.

The Home Office has commissioned a new unbreakable plastic design after official figures revealed that 5,500 people are attacked with glasses and bottles every year in England and Wales.

But the British Beer and Pub Association said it would be unfair to force pubs without a record of violence to serve beer to customers in plastic glasses.

“For the drinker, the pint glass feels better, it has a nice weight and the drink coats the glass nicely. Pubs shouldn’t be put under pressure to stop using glasses if they are safe places to drink,” the BBPA’s communications manager Neil Williams told the BBC.

Williams added that enforcing the use of plastic glasses would incur an extra cost at a time when pubs were already struggling during the recession.

“It would impose another cost on us. Red tape is already coming from all sides,” he said.

The proposals follow the BBC’s Panorama documentary about Oldham council’s controversial plans to counter a 200% rise in violent incidents at the town’s 22 licensed premises by introducing a series of measures.

The documentary, entitled The Truth About Happy Hour, sparked a backlash after revealing that Oldham council planned to curb violence by introducing post office-style queuing systems set back from the bar, a limit of two drinks per person ordered at a time, six extra door staff, and two police officers paid for by the licensee. These measures are aimed only at pubs and clubs offering cut-price drinks promotions.

The BBPA said it was “unfair” for councils to target pubs and bars with blanket conditions:  “Police and residents already have powers to object to problem pubs without the need for these extra conditions,” said a spokesperson.

Mandatory code for pubs and bars could cost the industry £58m >>

ALMR hits back at newspaper over anti-social behaviour claim >>

Pubs with a record of violence will have to use plastic >>

Glass-like plastic from Roltex >>

By Emma White

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