Pubs to ditch happy hour

Happy hour promotions have been banned by the beer and pub industry in a move to improve the sector's image and combat binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.

The British Beer & Pub Association today said its 32,000 members - around half of the pubs in the UK - and the majority of major brewers, had agreed to outlaw drinks' promotions.

A BBPA spokesman said: "Offers such as pay £10 on the door and all drinks are free; drinking games; and schemes that encourage people to drink too much too quickly have no place in our sector and we are determined to stamp them out."

The new code of conduct, which has been sent to Government ministers and the police, includes the introduction of shatterproof glasses in pubs but doesn't go as far as introducing minimum pricing, which the BBPA views as illegal and bad for consumers.

The move follows the Scottish Executive's decision to ban drink promotions as part of its review of licensing law, which was published in bill form in March.

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