As the pubs reopen in England on 4^th July, the Portman Group joins calls from across the industry for pub-goers to emulate the moderate majority and take personal responsibility for their drinking, in line with the Government’s Enjoy Summer Safely campaign which begins today.

John Timothy, CEO of the Portman Group, the regulator and social responsibility body for alcohol in the UK, said:

“For those looking forward to returning to the pub, recognise that some things will be different, respect those serving you and others in the venue and enjoy your time responsibly.

“It is an opportunity to reconnect with friends and enjoy much-needed face-to-face conversation. There are clear mental health benefits from spending time with friends and many people are likely to take advantage of the chance to socialise over a pint or a glass of wine.

“Pubs and bars have strict measures in place to ensure a safe environment and many are supported by long-term local initiatives to reduce alcohol harm. We encourage people to support their local pubs but to also emulate the moderate majority and do so in a responsible, considerate manner.”

The moderate majority are the 75% of UK adults who said that prior to the lockdown that they either did not drink or drank within the CMO’s guidelines of 14 units per week in a YouGov survey (2070 UK adults – 22-26 May) conducted for the Portman Group.  This equates to 6 pints of 4% ABV beer or 6 glasses of 13% ABV wine a week.

The study finds that the majority of Brits are drinking the same or less compared to before lockdown, with a large majority remaining within the UK Chief Medical Officers’ 14 units a week low risk drinking guidelines. Even among those drinking more, close to half remain within these guidelines.

The Portman Group encourages all those concerned about their drinking, or about the drinking of someone around them, should seek help from a health professional or visit Drinkaware.co.uk for free support and practical advice to help them cut back.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Nicola Bates, External Affairs Director

07730 525 701 or comms@portmangroup.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. John Timothy is available for broadcast interviews upon request.
2. The Portman Group was formed in 1989. It is the alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body. It has over 130 Code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies.
3. The Portman Group is funded by twelve member companies: Asahi UK Ltd; Aston Manor Cider; Bacardi; Brown-Forman; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Mast-Jäegermeister UK; Pernod Ricard UK, SHS Drinks and Thatchers’.
4. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
5. Portman Group poll: Total sample size was 2070 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd – 26th May 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

A complaint about a Van Pur S.A. product, Karpackie 9%, was upheld by the Independent Complaints Panel. A copy of the full decision is available here.

Each time a new Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks is introduced, the Portman Group commissions an independent audit of the market to measure compliance. In 2019, the Portman Group introduced the sixth edition of the Code of Practice and commissioned Zenith Global to carry out an audit of 500 products which were randomly selected from the market. Zenith Global was concerned that Karpackie 9% might be in breach of the Code of Practice. The full audit report will be published in due course.

During the audit, Zenith Global expressed concern that the product put undue emphasis on its alcoholic strength by presenting the “9%” in red and bold font on the front of the can against a black background. They also raised concern that the product’s packaging may encourage immoderate consumption with 4.5 units in a single-serve container without including any mitigation measures such as a ‘share’ message or a ‘per serve’ recommendation.

Reviewing the product in detail, the Panel noted:

• Although producers need to communicate the strength of their products to differentiate those within the same range the incorporation of “9%” in the brand name, when it was a higher than average strength for the category, risked giving undue emphasis to the strength.
• The “9%” appeared in large red type and was a prominent element of the design which emphasised the higher strength which might appeal particularly to those who were vulnerable, in this case because of their drinking.
• The 500ml can contained 4.5 units which in combination with its non-resealable nature was of a type typically consumed by one person in one sitting (as shown by a recent YouGov survey) and which therefore may encourage immoderate consumption.

In conclusion, the Panel believed the product design gave undue emphasis to alcoholic strength particularly to those who were vulnerable and the size and non-resealable nature of the can may encourage immoderate consumption. For this reason, the complaint was upheld under Code paragraph:

• 2(a) A drink, its packaging and any promotional material or activity should not in any direct or indirect way give the higher alcoholic strength, or intoxicating effect, undue emphasis. A product’s lower alcoholic strength may be emphasised proportionately when it is below average strength for similar beverages. Factual information about alcoholic strength may be given.
• 2(f) A drink, its packaging and any promotional material or activity should not in any direct or indirect way encourage illegal, irresponsible or immoderate consumption, such a drink-driving, binge-drinking or drunkenness.

Commenting on the decision the Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel, Jenny Watson, said:

“As a Panel, we concluded that the presentation of the “9%” went beyond giving factual information and gave undue emphasis on the higher strength of the product which may have particular appeal to those who are vulnerable. Further to this, we concluded that the non-resealable nature of the high strength 500ml can in combination with the absence of a sharing message meant the product was likely to encourage immoderate consumption.

“Whilst the Panel acknowledged that Van Pur S.A. was planning to redesign their packaging across the Karpackie product line in the near future to bring it in line with the Code; the decision relates to the version of the packaging the complainant had identified and the Panel are unable to comment on any proposed future design”.

ENDS

For more information please contact Nicola Bates:

07730 525701 or comms@portmangroup.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1. The full decision from the Independent Complaints Panel is available on the Portman Group’s website.
2. The Portman Group’s Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks applies to all pre-packaged alcoholic drinks and the promotional activities of all drinks producers. A copy of the Code may be downloaded here.
3. This complaint was considered under the sixth edition of the Code of Practice.
4. The Independent Complaints Panel is headed by Jenny Watson CBE a former Chair of the Electoral Commission and Chair of the Equal Opportunities Commission. The Panel is drawn from a range of civic society who has worked in education, youth work, charity, criminal justice, health, marketing, hospitality and the alcohol industry. It is this mix of views and experiences which provides them with the authority to jointly provide a considered view on complaints based on the Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks. The members of the panel can be found here.
5. Since the Code was introduced in 1996, the packaging and/or marketing of over 150 drinks have been found to breach the Code. In the case of a Code breach concerning a drink’s packaging or point-of-sale material, a timetable for implementing the necessary changes – not normally exceeding three months – will be supplied in writing to the company concerned. Retailers may be notified of the decision taken by the Independent Complaints Panel and requested not to replenish stocks or point-of-sale material of any product found in breach of the Code, after the date specified by the Code Secretariat.
6. The Portman Group provides a free and confidential Advisory Service for alcohol producers to check products prior to launch and seek advice on responsible alcohol marketing. Over 2000 separate advice requests have been answered since 2010. Advice can be requested here.
7. The Portman Group is the alcohol industry regulator. It has over 130 code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies. The Portman Group is funded by twelve member companies: Asahi UK, Aston Manor Cider, Bacardi Limited UK, Brown-Forman UK; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Mast-Jäegermeister UK; Pernod Ricard UK, Thatchers Cider and SHS Drinks.
8. A high-resolution image of Karpackie 9% is available on request.

As the social responsibility body for the alcohol industry we are keen to understand how extended isolation and social distancing has impacted the drinking habits of people across the UK. Seeking to be robust, we commissioned the only study from YouGov[i] to look at a baseline for weekly drinking and the changes that followed.

We seek to be transparent with the results of our research, so you can view the full study here. In summary, they show:

• Overall, the majority of Brits are drinking the same or less compared to before lockdown, with a large majority remaining within the UK Chief Medical Officers’ 14 units a week low risk drinking guidelines. Even among those drinking more, close to half remain within these guidelines.
• Prior to lockdown, 75% of UK adults said they either did not drink or drank within the CMO’s guidelines of 14 units per week. This equates to 6 pints of 4% ABV beer or 6 glasses of 13% ABV wine a week.
• When asked if their drinking had increased or decreased since lockdown, two thirds (65%) of Brits who drank alcohol before the lockdown said that they are drinking the same, less or had stopped drinking altogether.
• A large majority of drinkers remain within the low risk guidelines, including 81% of those drinking less and 72% of those drinking thereabouts the same. Even among those drinking more, close to half (44%) remain within these guidelines.
• When those who are drinking less are asked about how they are moderating their intake of alcohol, 18% say they are intentionally limiting their purchase of alcohol in shops and 10% are incorporating alcohol-free days into their week.

This research builds on a number of other surveys from YouGov, CGA, Alcohol Change UK, Drinkaware and the Institute for Employment Studies, which consistently show that there has not been a spike in alcohol consumption under lockdown. Taken together, it appears that around 4 in 5 Brits are drinking the same, less or stopped during lockdown, with around a third drinking less and a 1 in 5 drinking more.

This appears to support evidence that the lockdown has resulted in fewer sales. Despite media articles highlighting increased supermarket sales, retail sales were more than offset by a collapse in sales in pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants. Tellingly alcohol duty receipts published by HMRC, which reflect all sales, show a fall in receipts of 17% from £1.74bn in March-April 2019 to £1.44bn in March-April 2020.[ii]

For more stats on UK consumption rates view our fact sheet.

Harmful drinking

Whilst our results show that not all increases in drinking should be a cause for alarm, we must be mindful that there remains a minority who continue to drink at high risk levels and have actually increased their consumption.

Our shared efforts need to focus on tackling hazardous drinking and those struggling with alcohol dependence or those on the brink of dependence. There is a real risk this has been exacerbated by the pandemic cutting off social and professional support as well as further economic pressures. Excessive alcohol consumption is dangerous and its effects should not be downplayed.

People drinking at hazardous levels need professional support to overcome what are often multi-faceted challenges. We would encourage all those concerned about their drinking, or about the drinking of someone around them, to seek help from a health professional or visit Drinkaware.co.uk for free support and practical advice.

Looking ahead

As the UK plans for the reopening of the hospitality industry, there is reason to be cautiously optimistic that moderate drinking patterns will continue. Polling from the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking suggests that half (50%) of Brits intend to maintain their new drinking habits, with 35% expecting to return to pre-lockdown habits.[iii]

This survey reinforces the pattern of evidence from other research suggesting that the UK is,and largely continues to be, a nation of responsible drinkers.

—-

[i] YouGov surveyed 2,070 adults from across the UK online between 22 May and 26 May 2020. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.

[ii] HMRC – Alcohol Bulletin, May 2020

[iii] IARD June 2020

Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel – Vacancy (June 2020)

Background

The Portman Group was established to promote social responsibility amongst alcohol producers and to demonstrate the industry’s commitment to acting responsibly. Across the last thirty years, it has consistently sought to raise standards within the sector and to showcase best practice. As the alcohol watchdog, it regulates the promotion and packaging of alcohol through a rigorous Code of Practice on the Naming, Packaging and Promotion of Alcoholic Drinks and a Code of Practice on Sponsorship, both of which challenge drinks producers to market and promote their products responsibly.

Complaints made under the Code are considered by an Independent Complaints Panel.  This Panel operates separately from the Portman Group whose role is solely to provide a Secretariat function.

The Code was launched in 1996 and has been reviewed and strengthened and is currently in its sixth edition.  It is regarded as an effective and important system of self-regulation, which commands high levels of compliance and support amongst alcoholic drinks producers and retailers in the UK.

The Independent Complaints Panel is solely responsible for adjudicating on complaints made under the Code.  The Panel has nine members, including the Chair. Details of current membership and the Panel’s decisions are published on the Portman Group website, www.portmangroup.org.uk

The other members of the Panel are appointed by the Chair and the Panel is independently constituted.

Previous Chairs have included Laurence Shurman, the former Banking Ombudsman, Lord Condon, former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and Sir Richard Tilt, former Director General of the Prison Service.  Jenny Watson, former Chair of the Electoral Commission, is the current Chair and will step down in in September 2020.

Panel Chair – role specification

The Chair of the Independent Complaints Panel will:

• Chair ICP meetings: the Panel is scheduled to meet nine times a year and meetings normally last no longer than two-three hours;
• Liaise as appropriate with members of the secretariat, in particular to consider requests for informal resolution and to approve draft minutes of Panel meetings and decisions;
• Be available as required to provide guidance to Secretariat on decisions of process and timing;
• Attend hearings of oral representations if (as may happen very exceptionally) agreed by the Panel in individual cases;
• Give public comments for Portman Group press releases about Panel decisions;
• Attend and address occasional meetings to describe or promote the work of the Panel and the Code. Examples of such meetings could include the Code signatories’ forum and background briefings for government officials, journalists or relevant organisations with an interest in the workings of the Code;
• Provide a short Chair’s report for the Annual Code Report.

Neither the Chair nor any other members of the Panel represent or speak on behalf of the Portman Group or its member companies in public or otherwise. It is the Portman Group’s role to publicise the Panel’s decisions to the media, industry and other audiences.

The Chair and all Panel members are fully indemnified, individually and collectively, against any action by drinks companies who may challenge the Panel’s decision in relation to their product.

Panel Chair – person specification

The successful candidate will:

• Be a figure with a national reputation of standing and credibility in their field, though NOT in any way related to the alcoholic drinks industry;
• Experienced at chairing meetings, drawing out differing views and guiding the discussion to an agreed conclusion;
• Have an understanding of self-regulatory frameworks and demonstrate an understanding of the objectives of the Code of Practice;
• Have a balanced approach to alcohol issues and be committed to promoting corporate social responsibility and responsible drinking by consumers
• Have excellent communications and interpersonal skills;
• Be able to demonstrate understanding of and compliance with the Nolan principles of public life, ie selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. (NB This is not a public appointment but the Portman Group is committed to following similar standards of openness and transparency in making this appointment).

Terms and conditions

The Chair will be appointed for a three-year term, renewable for a further three years by mutual agreement.

An honorarium, currently set at £16k per annum, is paid, as are reasonable travel and other out-of-pocket expenses. The Chair is personally responsible for any tax and other liabilities.

Recruitment process

Applications are to be sent to people@portmangroup.org.uk by 17.00 on Friday 10 July 2020.  Please submit a full CV, together with a covering letter explaining how your experience and qualities meet the role and person specification above.

Please include the names and full contact details of two referees, who must have known you in a professional capacity for at least three years. Referees will not be contacted without prior agreement.

The Portman Group is committed to equal opportunities; applications are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates who meet the stated criteria. The Chair will be appointed through an open and public recruitment process in full accordance with the Governance Code for Public Appointments.

June 2020

This role has since been recruited

Media and Communications Executive
Westminster
Salary and benefits commensurate with experience

Us

The Portman Group is the social responsibility body and regulator for alcohol labelling, packaging and promotion in the UK. In 1989 we were founded by alcohol producers to help them to reduce the harmful use of alcohol; they still lead us today and we are accountable to them to ensure that the whole sector is responsible.

We have a lot to shout about and we want an exceptional Media and Communications Executive to tell our story. You will enable the Portman Group to build on its purpose to reduce harmful drinking and ensure that the drinks industry apply the highest standards to their alcohol marketing through the industry’s Code of Practice. We need to hire the best and we hope that this is you.

The role

With a great deal of exposure to the CEO, you will be accountable to the Director of External Affairs for ensuring that PG’s web presence and media engagement is professional, engaging and accurate. You will be an exceptional story-teller, able to work with the team and weave imaginative copy for proactive and reactive content. You will find challenge in the needs of demonstrating a balanced position for the Group in a contested environment where precision is essential. You will be engaging and focused on building and maintaining PG’s relationships with journalists in order to demonstrate the value of PG as the social responsibility body for alcohol producers in the UK utilising industry initiatives and our drinking trends/behaviours information. Equally you will be able to demonstrate the value of the regulatory activities and the decisions of the Independent Complaints Panel.

You

We believe in supporting the development of new talent. We want to support you to build on your existing responsibility for media communications, social media platforms and website content. You are likely to be a media executive for a consultancy, industry body, charity or corporate seeking a chance to develop a position of authority within the alcohol sector. You are most likely to be a graduate with a communications, journalism or PR qualification, or someone with a body of work that demonstrates your ability.

You will:

• Be experienced in media and social media communications, with an understanding of how to appeal to nationals and broadcast.
• Be a burgeoning, or proven, exceptional writer, knowing that you will need a high degree of accuracy and a love of the written word. You will be imaginative, creative and apply this to your copy writing in order to create precise material which people enjoy reading.
• Likely have experience of managing, or inputting, into digital media programmes and experienced in managing core corporate platforms.
• Likely have experience managing web content and be capable of managing WordPress and other common web tools.
• Become immersed in the sector and have the personal presence to engage with journalists and PR/comms colleagues in the industry.
• Have enthusiasm for being a team player in a small organisation having strong self-motivation to take the initiative to drive the web presence and media agenda.

Desirable:

• CIPR/PRCA or other recognised industry qualification.
• Web design and / or design experience or having some level of study in this specialism.
• Knowledge of the drinks industry and of policies and practices concerned with the social aspects of alcohol. An existing network among health and business journalists would be an exceptional advantage.

Now worried that you aren’t the right person – keep reading

We are motivated to build the very strongest team and hold that success is more likely when there is diversity of thought, opinion and background. This is not your standard claim. We are taking action to make the changes we want to see. Our senior team have been involved in organisations specifically to improve diversity, whether as the founding Chairman of the Women in Communications Career Network or as a board member of the Brilliant Club.

We know that candidates (and research tells us especially women) are often put off applying for a job unless they can tick every box. We also know that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t always doable, and while we can’t accommodate every flexible working request we are happy to be asked.  So if you are excited about being our go to policy lead and you believe that you can do much of what we are looking for but aren’t sure if you are 100% there yet… why not have a go?

How to apply

Please send your CV and a brief cover note explaining why you are interested to people@portmangroup.org.uk. We hope to start interviewing in June, so please apply sooner rather than later.

Good luck!

New surveys show Brits drinking moderately under lockdown, as majority continue to drink under CMO guidelines

In the first survey to measure how much UK consumers are actually drinking during the lockdown, the Portman Group – the UK alcohol regulator and social responsibility body – finds that the majority of Brits are drinking the same or less compared to before lockdown, with a large majority remaining within the UK Chief Medical Officers’ 14 units a week low risk drinking guidelines. Even among those drinking more, close to half remain within these guidelines.

These findings are echoed in a separate survey for the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking – the global body focused on reducing harmful drinking – which also shows that half of Brits expect to maintain their new reduced drinking habits, and that socialising in pubs, bars and restaurants only ranks behind socialising with friends and family in terms of the things Brits miss about pre-lockdown life.

These new surveys show that, despite concerns fuelled by rising retail sales and continuing warm weather, British drinkers have taken a sensible approach to their drinking during lockdown.

A YouGov survey (2070 UK adults – 22-26 May) conducted for the Portman Group found:

• Prior to lockdown, 75% of UK adults said they either did not drink or drank within the CMO’s guidelines of 14 units per week. This equates to 6 pints of 4% ABV beer or 6 glasses of 13% ABV wine a week.
• Since lockdown on 23 March, two thirds of Brits who drank alcohol before the lockdown (65% of UK drinkers) say they are drinking the same, less or stopped drinking altogether (38%, 22% and 5% respectively).
• Of the 35% of drinkers who say that they are drinking more, 28% say a little more and 7% say a lot more.
• However, the majority of drinkers remain within 14 units: 81% of those drinking less and 72% of those drinking thereabouts the same are within the guidelines.
• Of those drinking more, 44% are drinking within the CMO guidelines, whilst a further 22% are drinking just over the guidelines up to 21 units a week. A further 13% are consuming 22 – 28 units; 8% consuming 29 – 35 units; 6% consuming 36 – 49 units; and a final 4% consuming at a harmful or high risk level of more than 50 units.
• Those respondents who increased their drinking and are above 14 units a week tend to be male, older drinkers, and those who are unemployed or retired.
• When those who are drinking less are asked about how they are moderating their intake of alcohol, 18% say they are intentionally limiting their purchase of alcohol in shops and 10% are incorporating alcohol-free days into their week.
• Participants also cited the closure of pubs and bars and subsequent lack of socialising as another key reason for drinking less.

A separate YouGov survey for the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking conducted a week earlier (2140 UK adults, 13-14 May), as part of a wider survey of lockdown drinking habits across nine countries, also found that:

• Overwhelmingly, 88% of Brits who have been drinking lockdown during this period say they believe their drinking during lockdown has not caused problems in their lives, with 5% saying it has caused fewer problems and 4% saying it has caused more problems.
• Furthermore, 50% of Brits who drink alcohol expect to maintain their new drinking habits, whilst 35% expect to return to pre-lockdown habits.
• When asked what they missed pre-lockdown, 63% of Brits cited missing socialising in, bars and restaurants, second only to being able to physically meet up with family, and ahead of being able to travel abroad or around the UK (56%) and being able to show displays of physical affection such as hugging or shaking hands (54%).

This research builds on a number of surveys since March from YouGov, CGA, Alcohol Change UK, Drinkaware and the Institute for Employment Studies which consistently show that there has not been a spike in alcohol consumption under lockdown.

Commenting on the studies, Portman Group Chief Executive John Timothy said:

“These surveys are further proof that fears of Brits binge drinking through lockdown are unfounded, with the majority of UK drinkers continuing to remain within the Government’s low risk guidelines, even those drinking a little bit more than previously.

“However, we must be mindful that there remains a minority who continue to drink at hazardous levels and have actually increased their consumption, and we join with other organisatons in calling for those struggling to be given the professional support they need.

“Like so many others in the UK, I look forward to returning to our pubs and restaurants in the coming months but would also urge people to make sure they continue to drink responsibly and respect the social distancing measures in place in order to protect themselves and those around them.”

International Alliance for Responsible Drinking President, Henry Ashworth said:

“Despite reports of people rushing to stock up on alcohol in supermarkets, pictures of empty shelves, and early increases in off-premise alcohol sales, today’s polling indicates that the vast majority of people in these nine countries consumed the same or less alcohol during shutdowns.

“It is also encouraging that many intend to maintain these moderate habits as restaurants and bars, which have been sorely missed as a vital part of many people’s social wellbeing, begin to open.

“Some people are clearly struggling with their alcohol consumption during shutdowns and it is important that these individuals seek support from their doctor or specialist organizations that offer the chance to talk about their drinking. Having consulted with a doctor, for some people, the better choice may be not to drink at all during this difficult time.”

The Portman Group and IARD encourages all those concerned about their drinking, or about the drinking of someone around them, should seek help from a health professional or visit Drinkaware.co.uk for free support and practical advice to help them cut back.

Update: A further Portman Group research report into the results can be found here, whilst raw survey data can be accessed here.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. John Timothy is available for broadcast interviews upon request.
2. The Portman Group is the alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body. It has over 130 Code signatories from producers, retailers and membership bodies.
3. The Portman Group is funded by twelve member companies: Asahi UK Ltd; Aston Manor Cider; Bacardi; Brown-Forman; Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I; Carlsberg UK; Diageo GB; Heineken UK; Mast-Jäegermeister UK; Pernod Ricard UK, SHS Drinks and Thatchers’.
4. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.
5. Portman Group poll: Total sample size was 2070 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd – 26th May 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
6. IARD poll: Total sample size was 2140 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 13th – 14th May 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).

Direct Line Life Insurance have published the findings of a new survey on drinking during the lockdown.

Commenting, John Timothy, Chief Executive of the Portman Group, the alcohol industry regulator and social responsibility body, said –

“We take harmful drinking seriously and it is important that research in this field is credible. However, the methodology underpinning the Direct Line survey, from which it has calculated the unit intake of respondents, is contentious at best and calls into question the sensational figures that follow. It is important that data in this space is robust and these numbers are out of step with other surveys looking at population-wide drinking behaviour.

However, this is the latest study that shows that the vast majority of Brits – almost three quarters – are drinking the same or less under lockdown. We are mindful of the quarter that are drinking more. Who these people are and how much more they’re drinking is crucial. For example a small increase in quantity amongst those drinking within the low risk guidelines is of less concern than those people whose drinking risks becoming potentially hazardous. Anyone with concerns about their drinking, or the drinking of a family member or friends, should seek professional help and support.”

Written by John Timothy, Portman Group Chief Executive

As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol producers of all sizes are playing their part to aid frontline healthcare workers and support those in the industry and local communities impacted by ongoing closures to contain the virus.

At the start of the pandemic, producers of all sizes were quick to switch production lines to provide alcohol for hand sanitiser and disinfectant and so far, our members have produced enough alcohol for these purposes to fill around 10,000 bathtubs.

We applaud the solidarity and efforts shown by producers and groups across the industry to make a difference during this unprecedented and difficult time.

Just some of the actions taken by Portman Group members in response to COVID-19 include:

• Aston Manor Cider: A longstanding commitment to Grocery Aid who have launched a dedicated COVID-19 Fund. The fund is backed by £1.5m to provide enhanced support for grocery colleagues on Mental Health, Bereavement Financial Assistance and Crisis Grants.
• Asahi: Across the world, Asahi has invested in the development of hand sanitisers. In the UK, they have donated 5,000 face masks and 1,500 gloves and products (including low and no alcohol) to several thousand hospitals, care homes and community facilities. They have partnered with the National Emergencies Trust and committed to match-fund donations made by consumers up to £50,000 alongside committing a percentage of their online sales per case of Meantime product to their charity partner ‘Only a Pavement Away’.
• Bacardi: Globally, Bacardi has a commitment to produce more than 1.1 million litres of hand sanitiser. In the UK, the Laverstoke Mill distillery in Hampshire is producing a small quantity of hand sanitizers to be donated to local doctors, chemists and care homes; whilst the Dewar distillery in Aberfeldy is helping to produce hand sanitisers for the Scottish Ambulance Association among other local community groups.
• Brown-Forman: In the UK, Brown-Forman have donated to the Drinks Trust COVID-19 Fund and launched a ‘virtual tip jar’ to support the Drinks Trust. They have also launched ‘The Lost Shift’ competition for bartenders who are currently unable to work due to the pandemic and have partnered with Healthy Hospo to launch ‘The Lockdown Lowdown’ to help support bartenders around the world maintain overall health and wellbeing during the lockdown.
• Budweiser Brewing Group: In the UK, they have distributed free of charge more than 10,000 litres of hand sanitiser and disinfectant to the Metropolitan Police, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service. They have also gifted products (including low and no alcohol) to frontline workers. Meanwhile, their ‘Save Pub Life’ campaign which allows pub goers to purchase a gift card to use at a later date and so far they have match-funded more than £824,000 to the trade and their Bud Light brand is keeping people connected with the UK’s largest virtual pub quiz.
• Carlsberg: Globally, the Carlsberg Foundations have donated DKK 95 million (approx. £11 million) in response to COVID-19, with recipients including three internationally recognised Coronavirus research teams. In the UK, they have frozen certain payments for the on-trade, donated 580HL of alcohol from their Kent brewery to making hand sanitisers, and launched the ‘Love My Local’ platform which enables pubs, bars and restaurants to set up to offer takeaway food and drink. They have also made £10,000 available for the Northamptonshire Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund to help the local community and donating bottled beers – including alcohol free – to health care workers in Northampton.
• Diageo: Globally, Diageo has pledged to donate up to 2 million of litres of alcohol to create more than 8 million bottles of hand sanitiser to help protect key frontline healthcare workers, including 500,000 litres in the UK and Ireland. Diageo has also donated £1 million to support the wages of bartenders in UK pubs and bars and is offering free training to hospitality workers through the ‘Diageo Learning for Life: Virtual Academy’.
• Heineken: Is supporting its 2,500 leased Star Pubs and Bars by suspending the collection of rent and associated charges. They are also providing support to grassroots communities through the ‘Heineken Community Fund’ in partnership with Neighbourly.com to help vulnerable people up and down the country.
• Mast-Jägermeister: In Germany, Mast-Jäegermeister has donated 50,000 litres of alcohol for the production of disinfectant. In the UK, Jägermeister UK has made significant donations to the Drinks Trust Covid Relief Fund including through the Livery Emergency Action Fund.
• Pernod Ricard: Within the UK they have so far pledged around 200,000 litres of hand sanitiser to the NHS and local community groups. They have donated £250,000 to the Drinks Trust, through Chivas Brothers they have donated £300,000 to NHS Charities Together, donated £25,000 to the Moray Emergency Relief Fund. Pernod Ricard has also partnered with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust o offer Level 1 Spirits courses online for free.
• SHS Drinks: To help those severely impacted by the pandemic, SHS Drinks have provided 14 foodbanks and local charities with monetary donations. This has aided the collation of care packages for households and vulnerable groups within the community. As part of their ‘Wellness Wednesday’ employee health & wellbeing campaign they have provided guidance, support and information resources to promote responsible drinking during the pandemic.

To aid efforts, the Scotch Whisky Association have created an online portal to connect distillers who can produce high-strength ethanol and/or hand sanitiser with packagers, distributors and organisations who are in need of hand sanitiser.

Other trade bodies are playing their part in co-ordinating support for the hospitality industry and workers effected by the prolonged shutdown. The Wine and Spirits Trade Association, Society of Independent Brewers and National Association of Cider Makers have created online hubs bringing together key pieces of advice for businesses, whilst the Campaign for Real Ale and SIBA have launched the ‘Pulling Together’ campaign to help consumers continue to support their local pubs and brewers.

Finally, the independent charity Drinkaware is encouraging consumers to drink in moderation and to be careful not to use alcohol as a coping mechanism for stress and anxiety while in isolation.

These are just some of the actions taken to date, with many producers committed to further steps in the days and weeks ahead.  Together, we will pull each other through this, and we encourage everyone to look out for each other and look after their own physical and mental health.

This article first appeared in Drinks Retailing News.

Our Advisory Service is always here for you to give advice on the packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks.

Since the lockdown started, we’ve had a few enquiries about how to offer product samples responsibly.  Promoters are turning to online platforms and home delivery services to enable consumers to try new products.  There is a particular risk that we’d like you to consider before you run a sampling promotion this way.

Our guidance on sampling says that promoters should:

Only offer samples to people who are over the age of 18. If in doubt ask for proof of age (driving licence, passport or PASS-accredited proof of age card). If proof of age cannot be supplied and you have any doubts as to whether the person is over 18 then you should politely refuse to offer them a sample.

Under the current social distancing guidelines, most deliveries are contact-free and it may be difficult to verify the age of recipients.

Of course, it’s not unusual for alcohol to be delivered to people in their homes as part of their grocery shopping, and retailers will ensure that they do not sell alcohol to under-18s through their home delivery services.  But when a product sample is offered for free, on request, and delivered to the doorstep, there’s a particular risk that it might be supplied to under-18s.  We think it’s not enough to rely on online forms that ask people to enter their date of birth or tick a box to confirm that they are over 18.

If you want to send samples to consumers at home, you should make sure that you have a reliable way to check the age of the person who receives the sample.  If you feel that you cannot do that at the moment without breaking the social distancing guidelines, you should delay your promotion until you are able to do it responsibly.

If you’d like more guidance on this or want to ask about a specific promotion you’re planning, please get in touch through our website or email advice@portmangroup.org.uk