Cheap booze ban plan revealed

Glass of beer

A by-law that would see the sale of cheap booze banned across Greater Manchester has been revealed.

The plans would see a minimum price of 50p per unit of alcohol.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, (AMGA) which represents 10 local authorities including Rochdale Borough Council, will meet on Friday to consider a progress report on the proposals.

The report includes the first draft of the bylaw. It reads: “No individual, business, company or temporary licence holder based within the area, whether classified as off licence or on licence shall offer the public sale of alcohol at any time without exception at a price less than fifty pence, or equivalent value of Euros at the time of sale, per unit of alcohol.”

The report indicates that a minimum unit price of 50p in Greater Manchester would reduce alcohol-related hospital admissions by 4,482 per annum.

The Deputy Leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Ashley Dearnley said the move is a ‘good idea.’

He said: “More reasonable charges are a sensible measure to take.

“My only slight concern is with Rochdale being so close with the border of Yorkshire that business people and those with off licenses may be in a situation where they are being penalised because people will go and buy cheap alcohol from over the border.

“But, I do think this is aimed at people selling alcohol at ridiculously low prices with a complete disregard of the consequences and I support it.”