SBPA encouraged by test purchasing figures

January 9, 2008: The Scottish Beer and Pubs Association (SBPA) has welcomed improved figures in the number of licenses premises breaching under-age drinking laws.

A recent test purchasing exercise in the Strathclyde area found 9% of premises entered willing to serve young people without checking for ID.

In a similar exercise in Fife last year 16 to 17% of premises failed the test.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the SBPA, said: "Whilst one licensed premises selling alcohol against the law to an underage customer is unacceptable, the fact that over 90% of licensed premises tested in Strathclyde complied with the law is very encouraging, especially given that Strathclyde Police indicated they would only be targeting premises where police intelligence suggested that they were actually selling alcohol to underage customers."