A coalition of North East England publicans has called on the government to introduce minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol in England, aiming to address the competitive disadvantage faced by pubs against supermarkets selling heavily discounted drinks. The measure, already implemented in Scotland, would set a floor price for alcohol, making cheap shop-bought alcohol less accessible and potentially reducing harmful drinking behaviors at home.
Joanne Dwyer, joint owner of the Jolly Fisherman in Craster and the Woodmans Arms in Whickham, described the situation as “grossly unfair,” emphasizing that pubs are struggling to compete against supermarkets offering low-cost alcohol. Dwyer noted that rising operational expenses—covering utilities, food, and drinks—have further strained hospitality businesses. Meanwhile, the availability of inexpensive alcohol in shops has encouraged some consumers to drink at what she termed “worryingly high levels” in private settings.
Dwyer is part of a significant majority of North East landlords, with 79% supporting the introduction of MUP according to a recent survey involving 200 publicans, including 70 from the region. Many landlords see the policy as a way to restore balance in the market, helping pubs remain viable while addressing public health and social issues linked to excessive alcohol consumption.
The call for MUP has long been championed by health officials, including Alice Wiseman, director of public health for Newcastle and Gateshead. The latest survey, conducted by the Institute for Alcohol Studies and the campaign group Balance, also found broad backing among publicans for other alcohol harm reduction measures. These include stricter drink-driving limits, warning labels on alcoholic products, and tighter restrictions on alcohol marketing. Specifically, 75% of respondents favored tougher drink-driving regulations, over half supported warning labels, and 46% endorsed stricter marketing rules.
Research cited in the survey highlighted that beer purchased from shops is 245% more affordable now than in 1987, a factor contributing to challenges for the pub sector. One in four publicans surveyed identified cheap supermarket alcohol as a significant business concern.
Dr. Katherine Severi, chief executive of the Institute of Alcohol Studies, underscored the urgency of action, pointing to record levels of alcohol-related deaths in England following the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that the growing availability of rapid alcohol delivery services has exacerbated the problem by enabling at-risk individuals to obtain alcohol quickly, even when health is compromised.
Severi emphasized that publicans and public health advocates are aligned in calling for reforms: “They’re not asking for cheaper alcohol – they’re asking for a level playing field.” She added that raising supermarket alcohol prices through minimum unit pricing and increased duties could reduce harm, support struggling pubs, and generate revenue for treatment and prevention programs.
With widespread industry and health sector support, advocates say the government has both public health and economic incentives to implement minimum unit pricing in England, a move they argue could alleviate pressure on local pubs while addressing alcohol-related harm more effectively.