Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service conducted a survey in to spirits subsititution at pubs and clubs in Warwickshire. Officers were looking to see if any branded (and therefore more expensive) spirits had been substituted for cheaper alternatives.
In March 2008, Trading Standards Officers visited 126 premises across Warwickshire and carried out 758 spirit checks.
The results:
- Alcester: eight licensed premises visited - no problems found.
- Atherstone: nine licensed premises visited - no problems found.
- Coleshill: seven licensed premises visited - one premise is now under investigation for spirits substitution.
- Leamington Spa: 16 licensed premises visited - one premise is now under investigation for spirits substitution.
- Nuneaton: 13 licensed premises visited - one premise is now under investigation for spirits substitution.
- Rugby: 14 licensed premises visited - one premise is now under investigation for spirits substitution.
- Stratford -upon - Avon: 14 licensed premises visited - no problems found.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said:
“Dispensing cheaper spirits from premium branded spirit bottles rips off consumers and gives the unscrupulous licensee an unfair advantage over his competitors. The cost of a ‘branded double’ as opposed to a ‘house double’ can be as much a £1.
Whilst we are disappointed to find problems with some premises I am delighted that the vast majority are taking their responsibilities seriously and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.”
Any member of the public who suspects substitution of spirits is taking place should contact Gill Kelly on 01926 414053.
Trading Standards Officers also visited 9 premises in Rugby in August 2007 and found only a problem at The Red Lion Public House 53 High St. Hillmorton Rugby
Rugby Licensee Prosecuted for Spirits Substitution
Michael Quigley, licensee of the Red Lion Public House 53 High St. Hillmorton Rugby has been prosecuted for spirits substitution by Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Service.
At Rugby Magistrates Court on 14th May 2008 Michael Quigley pleaded guilty to three offences under the Food Safety Act 1990 s15(1)(a) and was fined £330, and ordered to pay £1878.50 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge - a total of £2223.50
Trading Standards Officers, as part of a countywide survey, visited the Red Lion Pub on 14th August 2007 and took samples from bottles labelled Smirnoff vodka, Gordons gin and Martell brandy. Tests on these samples revealed that the spirits were not the branded product, but a substitute.
In Mr Quigley’s pub, a double Smirnoff vodka or Gordons gin cost £2.60 whilst a house double vodka or gin cost £1.80 – 80p less. A double Martell brandy cost £2.90 whilst a double house brandy cost £1.80 - £1.10 less.
Warwickshire County Councillor Richard Hobbs, Portfolio Holder for Community Protection said:
“Dispensing cheaper spirits from premium branded spirit bottles rips off consumers and gives the unscrupulous licensee an unfair advantage over his competitors. The savings that can be made from substituting branded products for cheaper products can be huge.
Whilst we have been disappointed to find problems with a small number of licensees in the Rugby area I am delighted that the vast majority of those visited in Rugby are taking their responsibilities seriously and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.”
Trading Standards Officers visited 9 premises in Rugby in August 2007 and found only a problem at The Red Lion on Main St. Officers again visited the town in March 2008 and took samples from a further 14 premises. One business is now under investigation following this second visit.
It is against the law to refill a branded spirit bottle with an alternative product for re-sale.
In mitigation, Kath Brockway representing Michael Quigley said that her client was very sorry and had no previous convictions.
Ann Backhouse represented Warwickshire County Council.
Kath Brockway represented Mr Quigley. |