Balancing the Act – National Licensing Conference to discuss key issues

09/09/2009

Alcohol Focus Scotland's annual National Licensing Conference takes place this Wednesday and Thursday in Aviemore.

Over 200 people from licensing, health, police, policy and the licensed trade will get together for the first time since Scotland's new licensing laws came into force. The theme this year is "Balancing the Act" and we are delighted that the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, is once again giving the keynote address. Other speakers include Patrick Browne from the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, Dr Lesley Wilkie, Director of Public Health at NHS Grampian, and Ian Shearer from the British Retail Consortium.

The delegates will have the opportunity to discuss all the issues around the new Act, as well as other key issues affecting the trade like the Scottish Government's plans to introduce minimum pricing, social responsibility fees and raising the purchase age to 21 for off-sales.

Jack Law, chief executive of Alcohol Focus Scotland, said:

"The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 represents the biggest changes to our licensing system for over thirty years. As Scotland's health and social problems relating to alcohol misuse continue to increase, I believe the new legislation has the potential to make a really positive change to our drinking culture by ensuring alcohol is sold in a legal, safe and responsible way."