The Island's off-licences on the Island have signed up to a Code of Practice for responsible alcohol retail.
The Code is being put into practice by the Offwatch group in partnership with the Department of Home Affairs and the Police Central Alcohol Unit.
A ceremonial signing took place this morning at the Victoria Road, Douglas, branch of Shoprite, with Department of Home Affairs member Bill Malarkey MHK (who has responsibility for the Chief Minister’s Drug and Alcohol Strategy) and Offwatch Chairman Peter Whittaker in attendance.
The first stages of the Code are to be made effective by January 2010 and final compliance date is April 2010.
Requirements of the Code include removing unsuitable satellite areas, putting up signs, removing advertisements, removing bulk sales from outside main alcohol retail areas and providing health leaflets.
Mr Malarkey commented, "The Isle of Man is leading the way in working with the trade to have all retailers voluntarily agree to sign up to this Code of Practice on the responsible retailing of alcohol without the need for legislation.
"I don’t believe it will make any difference to responsible people who want to purchase alcohol but it will mean that people won’t accidentally come across alcoholic drinks for sale when they weren’t looking for them.
"New signs will mark very clearly the alcoholic sales area in stores. It will also mean an end to promotions of cheap bulk buy products in areas away from the main alcohol sales."
Chairman of Offwatch Peter Whittaker said, "Offwatch members agreed unanimously at our meeting in October that this Code of Practice will be rolled out across the Island.
"Changes to comply with the Code are already being made by Shoprite, Marks and Spencer, Co-Op, Spar and Tesco.
"It’s a very significant move for the off-licence trade on the Island, which we have been working towards for the past 12 months.
"It means one point of sales for alcohol and a ban on promotions outside that area – it does not give a commercial benefit to the retailers but does have significant benefits from the perspective of the welfare of the community.
"It should help drive down drunkenness and criminal activity associated with alcohol related incidents, while providing health information in the alcohol sales areas.
"The trade continues to work with all agencies in relation to alcohol issues and this comes on the back of Challenge 25 initiative, which was rolled out earlier this year."
