Licensed Premise in Spirits Investigation
A licensed premise in Coleshill is under investigation for suspected spirit substitution following an exercise conducted by Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service.
In March Trading Standards Officers visited 7 licensed premises at random including pubs, clubs and restaurants in Nuneaton and sampled a variety of spirits available for sale. Officers were looking to see if any branded (and therefore more expensive) spirits had been substituted for cheaper alternatives.
Of the 7 premises visited, one is now under investigation for spirits substitution.
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 one premise I am delighted that the vast majority of those visited in Coleshill are taking their responsibilities seriously and would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them.”
In March, Trading Standards Officers visited 126 premises across Warwickshire and carried out 758 spirit checks.
Four licensed premises, located in Leamington Spa, Rugby, Nuneaton and Coleshill are presently under investigation.
A similar exercise was carried out in August 2007 during which 64 outlets were visited leading to one prosecution of a Rugby public house.
Any member of the public who suspects substitution of spirits is taking place should contact Gill Kelly on 01926 414053.
For more information visit our website:
http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/tradingstandards