Alcohol code of practice prompts fears

Off-licence owners have expressed alarm at suggestions from the Government that it might row back on laws compelling retailers to separate alcohol from other products.

The National Off-Licence Association said indications the Government might back a beefed-up code of practice regarding the sale of alcohol was like “Groundhog Day”.

Chairwoman Evelyn Jones said that in 2008, then justice minister Dermot Ahern deferred enactment of a law forcing compliance to allow the industry to implement a voluntary code of practice.