A new Government plan to introduce a minimum price for alcohol will make Lichfield “more hospitable”, according to the city’s MP.
The proposal is part of a series of measures aimed at cutting binge drinking and alcohol-related illness across the country.
And Michael Fabricant MP believes local residents will feel the benefit of the move by his coalition colleagues.
“Although I have never felt intimidated in Lichfield on a Friday or Saturday night, I am well aware that many Lichfield residents feel worried when walking through the City centre late at night on a weekend,” he said.
“The problem often arises from youngsters getting tanked up on cheap booze before they even enter city centres. So the plan to introduce minimum pricing in supermarkets and off-licences which sometimes sell alcohol as a loss-leader has my full support.
“And later this year, Early Morning Alcohol Restriction Orders will give local authorities, like Lichfield District Council, the power to control late night drinking. Hard pressed police forces will receive funding through a Late Night Levy which will be charged on businesses that sell alcohol late into the night.
“But these controls will not only help make Lichfield and other parts of the West Midlands less rowdy at night, it will enhance the experience of visiting Lichfield – or LichVegas as it has become known.
“LichVegas has become renowned as a great venue for a good night out and the local economy has benefitted accordingly. These controls will make Lichfield even more hospitable to locals and visitors alike.”
The Conservative MP also moved to ease fears that the Government’s alcohol strategy would hurt businesses.
He explained: “Traditional pubs and restaurants for which Lichfield is becoming particularly famous, will be mainly exempt from these controls. They should feel the real benefit of not being heavily undercut by cheap lager and cider.
“In some shops and supermarkets, drinks are now so heavily discounted that it’s possible to buy a can of lager for as little as 20p or a 2 litre bottle of cider for around £1.70. That has to be wrong.”
