Unight deal means the end of "irresponsible" capital drinks promotions

Nightclubs and bars who are part of the capital's Unight scheme have voted to impose a ban on drink promotions five months before they are required to do so by law.

The move means the end of promotions which encourage "irresponsible drinking" such as admission promotions which include free alcohol and two-for-one deals on drinks in over 40 city centre venues. In September, promotions which encourage excessive drinking will be banned throughout the country as part of the Scottish Government’s alcohol strategy.

David Edge, chair of the Unight group, said: “In tough economic times the Unight member clubs have unanimously taken a big step in banning these irresponsible drinks promotions.

This decision levels the playing field throughout the city and ensures that all venues focus on entertainment first and foremost to drive their business forward."

He added: “It is yet another example of Unight leading the way in improving the late night economy in Edinburgh and a big thumbs up for the 2005 Act that that comes into force in September.”

The Unight coalition was established in 2007 and sees member venues share CCTV footage and information on anti-social behaviour. Last year, The Journal reported that the scheme has caused a 21 per cent fall in crime in city centre venues, and this new initiative on drinks promotion has received praise from the Scottish Government.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, said: “There’s no doubt that some of the promotions in pubs and clubs encourage people to buy and drink more alcohol. Some of them also encourage excessive drinking and fuel the drinking to get drunk culture that’s damaging Scotland.

“The decision to focus on promoting clubs through the atmosphere and entertainment rather than luring people in with cheap deals is very responsible and is certainly something that I welcome.

“The fact that it’s being done five months ahead of the law requiring it is a welcome sign that the industry is embracing the new Licensing Act.”

The ban is focused on those promotions which encourage excessive drinking, and will not mean the end of cheap drinks promotions on student nights. Sarah David, co-chairperson of Unight and manager of Cabaret Voltaire, explained the implications of the decision to The Journal: “Any promotions that encourage patrons to consume excessive amounts of alcohol such as door admission packages that include alcohol, any promotional references that encourage excessive drinking, drinks promotions that offer alcohol free or at a reduced price on the purchase of one or more drinks, alcoholic drinks vouchers and so on.”

She added that a thorough consultation with all member venues was undertaken before the move was implemented: “The final decision on what actually constituted irresponsible drinks promotions took many hours of deliberation both by the Chair Group and the full committee but we feel that we have come up with a comprehensive charter that surmises the groupings beliefs on the subject.”

Despite the end of multibuy promotions, which has led to some students complaining that the cost of an average night out will rise, advocates of the move have claimed that the impact a night out will be minimal.

Ms David added: “I don’t foresee this having much real impact on the cost of the average night out in Edinburgh.

“Hopefully the customer will reap the benefit with venues investing more time and effort into entertainment and providing a great atmosphere to be in rather than focusing on cheap drink.”

She added: “The Licensing Scotland Act 1976 clearly states that alcohol must be ancillary to entertainment; therefore this undertaking by Unight members levels the playing field throughout the city and ensures that all venues focus on entertainment first and foremost to drive their businesses forward.”

Members of the group include popular student venues Lava&Ignite, Shanghai and WhyNot?