BII Reacts to Tony Blair's comments on binge drinking

21-May-2004

Date: 21st May, 2004

British Institute of Innkeeping reacts to Tony Blair's comments on binge drinking

The British Institute of Innkeeping (BII) today welcomed the Prime Minister's comments on social responsibility and urged the small minority of irresponsible operators within the pub sector who are giving the industry a bad name to end excessive discounting and promotions now.

The BII already has a well established portfolio of qualifications for licensees and their staff to help encourage social responsibility within the UK's pubs and clamp down on the heavy drinking culture that has in some places hit recent National Headlines.

The Institute is also working with its 15,500 licensee members, 45 corporate member companies, pub groups and authorities to forge local partnerships to help fight alcohol-related crime and disorder.

BII Chief Executive John McNamara said: "We as an industry certainly acknowledge our own responsibility to help weed out the bad operators and encourage responsible drinking in the UK's pubs and bars. We at the BII will continue to promote training for those working within the sector and to encourage professionalism and stop these irresponsible promotions. We support the trade's own self-regulatory guidelines on drinks promotions and are committed to working with the Government in implementing the recently launched National Alcohol Harm Reduction Strategy and also the new Licensing Act".

"We also hope to see more Government funding committed in general to alcohol education in schools in the future".

"It is, however, vital to remember that as the Prime Minister said today, millions of us go out every weekend and enjoy a social drink in a safe and responsible environment with no ill effects."

 

 

Notes to Editors:

The BII is the professional body for the licensed trade. It has some 15,500 members and last year BIIAB processed around 89,000 qualifications. Its mission is to promote high standards of professionalism throughout the licensed retail sector; to encourage new entrants into the industry, and to help them develop their long-term careers. To provide all our members with high quality information, skills and qualifications to help them succeed in their business activities.

For more information or photographs, please contact Christine Dedman, Communications Executive, on 01276 417805 or by e-mail at christine@bii.org.

A copy of this press release can be found at www.bii.org in the press section.




ref PR0761
Email christine@bii.org
Contact Christine Dedman 01276 417 805