News

From October 1 new legislation means that retailers will not be able to offer discounts to the public when buying alcoholic products in bulk.   This measure is part of the Scottish Government’s action on alcohol problems. As reported in the media today, some retailers are defying the alcohol sales restrictions by encouraging cross-Border online alcohol sales.

The move has generated criticism from Alcohol Focus Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Jennifer Curran, Head of Policy, Research and Communications at Alcohol Focus Scotland, said: “This move today by Tesco, which encourages the bulk-buying of alcohol, flies in the face of its claims to be a responsible retailer. This is a blatant attempt to get round the law. Quite simply, this is big business putting profit before the health and wellbeing of the people of Scotland.”

Stephen McGowan, from the Law Society of Scotland’s Licensing Law committee, said: “As this Act will apply to operators in Scotland only, the society is concerned this change in legislation has the potential to create two separate markets within the UK for alcohol products. It could lead to shoppers purchasing in England and Wales to take advantage of savings not available in Scotland.”

Health secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "For too long, Scotland's unhealthy relationship with alcohol has gone unaddressed. The difference between alcohol consumption in Scotland and England and Wales is now at its highest rate for 17 years.

"This is a situation that must be tackled head-on."