The Government is expected to create a monitoring group to examine the industry’s commitment to the new Responsibility Deal.
That’s according to British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) chief executive Brigid Simmonds, who also expects major drink suppliers to help pubs prepare for the new unit labelling requirements under the Deal, which was launched this week.
A key requirement is to carry more unit information at the point of sale, through means such as beer mats, posters and pump clips.
Simmonds said two pieces of research - one with licensees and one with consumers - have been carried out by the BBPA to inform the best way forward.
Feedback has suggested using slogans that are “not intrusive but ideally playful”, such as “know your drinks, know your units”, have proved popular.
“Having done those two research pieces, will be refining the images and piloting it in April with two or three companies,” Simmonds said. “Then we will hopefully roll out to those who are signed up to the Responsibility Deal.”
Simmonds said there’s going to be a “proper monitoring group” to scrutinise the industry’s adherence to the Deal. Two sub groups are already being talked about - one about monitoring unit labelling, and another about the commitment to stock more low-alcohol products.
When asked if there will be an expectation from Government that a certain proportion of beer sales should be low-alcohol, Simmonds said: “That’s for future discussion.”
The Responsibility Deal, which has been signed by 170 companies including major pub operators and drinks suppliers, is voluntary but those companies that have signed up will be under pressure to comply or face sanctions in the future.
The situation is further complicated in the pub sector because the tenanted pub companies that have signed up can’t force their tenants to comply.
Simmonds said she’s “absolutely certain” that the tenanted operators that have signed up will be communicating the requirements with tenants.
But she also expects major drink suppliers to act as a “third party”, giving advice and issuing material to help the pubs comply.
Simmonds compared it to the period before the smoking ban, when drinks suppliers were often those issuing guidance and practical help to pubs. “I’m hoping that we can set up some sort of support mechanism when it comes to stage where we are rolling it out.”
Other key commitments for the on-trade are to help prevent underage sales and support “community alcohol initiatives”.
Pointing to schemes like Challenge 21 and Best Bar None, Simmonds said: “I feel that the on-trade is in a good place with lots of these [commitments]. We are the home of responsible retailing and we do a lot of these things as a matter of course.”
