PUBLICANS across the North-East are calling for Government action on cheap supermarket alcohol, which they say is damaging business.

More than half of the region’s landlords say trade has dropped off over the past year and a third expect the decline to continue, according to research published today.

The sale of alcohol at pocket money prices by the region’s supermarkets has been identified as a key reason for this trend – with almost nine in ten landlords admitting that supermarket price promotions have damaged trade.

As a result, more than 80 per cent of North-East publicans support the introduction of a minimum price per unit of alcohol, which would increase the price of cheap, strong alcohol and close the price gap between pubs and supermarkets.

The research commissioned by Balance, the North- East Alcohol Office, surveyed 244 of the region’s landlords It reveals that: ● 56 per cent of those surveyed experienced a decline in business last year; ● Two in five predict that this decline will continue over the next 12 months; ● More than half of publicans said they were forced to offer drinks promotions to counteract supermarket price cuts; ● A third put the introduction of a minimum price per unit in the top three factors that could make the biggest impact on boosting their profits; ● Seven in ten would welcome legislation to prevent supermarkets from selling alcohol at pocket money prices; ● Almost two-thirds support a return to fixed closing times.

Ian Taylor, operations and marketing manager at the Head of Steam Ltd, which owns pubs in Newcastle and Durham City, said: “It’s time to introduce a minimum price per unit of alcohol, which will enable us to compete and end this culture of pre-loading.”

He added: “How can it be that alcohol is available from supermarkets at Nineties’ prices, when the prices of other goods have risen significantly?

If I was selling alcohol at prices from two decades ago, I’m pretty certain the licensing authorities would have something to say about that. How come supermarkets aren’t governed in the same way?”

A spokesman for the Wine and Spirit Trade Association said: “We do not believe that minimum pricing is the solution for tackling social or commercial problems.

“It would mean higher prices for all consumers and particularly for those on the lowest incomes, whilst doing nothing to address alcohol misuse.”