News: It's no longer Calais to Dover but Carlisle to Glasgow
- Date: 19/10/2011
- Author/Solicitor: Jonathan Smith
One of the unintended (although it could have been easily foreseen) consequences of the recent changes to the licensing laws in Scotland could be that supermarkets could sell alcohol online via distribution centres which are located outside Scotland.
From the 1st October 2011, it is no longer possible in premises either selling alcohol for consumption on or off the premises, to sell alcohol in multipacks more cheaply than it is available as a single product, i.e., if a can of lager is £1, then a multipack of 12 cans would have to be £12. Although if the single product is not sold then the multipack can be sold at any price!
One way round this for suppliers is to supply the alcohol via mail order or online, from warehouses or depots outside Scotland. Although the alcohol is delivered into Scotland, the actual sale of alcohol takes place at the warehouse or depot when the alcohol is put aside towards the order. Therefore it is possible to provide alcohol more cheaply in multi packs than the alcohol is available in single products, by delivering the alcohol over the border.
There has been some talk about the Councils within Greater Manchester passing a bye law which would impose a minimum price. One potential consequence of them doing so would be retailers simply selling alcohol into the area from warehouses or depots outside the area.
