Booze bylaw could ban cheap alcohol

A BYLAW has been drafted which would make Greater Manchester the first place in the country to ban cheap booze.

It would outlaw the sale of alcohol for less than 50p per unit and pub loyalty schemes — with any off-licence, pub or nightclub found breaking the rules facing fines of up to £500.

The Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), which includes Oldham Council, meets on Friday to discuss the first draft of the bylaw.

It reads: “No individual, business, company or temporary license 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 50p, or equivalent value of euros at the time of sale, per unit of alcohol.”

At the meeting, council leaders will consider a progress report on the proposals.

The bylaw is designed to cut down on excessive drinking, improve health and cut hospital admissions across the region by up to 4,500.

Drinkers in the region will have to pay at least £6 for a six-pack of lager, £4.50 for a standard bottle of wine and nearly £16 for a litre bottle of Smirnoff vodka.

Critics of the bylaw point out that people could simply visit a shop over the border to buy cheaper alcohol.

AGMA officials hope it will stimulate calls for a national minimum alcohol price and bordering authorities in Merseyside, Warrington and Cheshire East are working with AGMA to ensure a co-ordinated approach to the scheme.

Oldham has already targeted cheap booze deals in town centre pubs and clubs in a bid to clean up its “Wild West” image.

A special task group will now investigate the legal, economic, cross-border and enforcement implications of the bylaw.