Clackmannanshire Council Online

Trading Standards officers to ensure fair pub measures

Trading Standards officers in Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils aim to get the measure of pubs in their area this summer.

They will join a nationwide project to test if alcohol measures sold in pubs, hotels, restaurants and nightclubs provide a fair deal to consumers.

Officers taking part in Fair Measure Fortnight will go into licensed premises unannounced to buy spirits for testing between July 31 and August 18.

Neil Chalmers, a Stirling Council Trading Standards manager, said: "The object of the exercise is to give a national snapshot of liquor measures from public houses."

The project is organised by the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

The sale of alcohol by controlled measure is a traditional element of trading standards work. It is against the law for any licensed premises to provide quantities less than stated on the notice which they must display by the bar area.

Most pubs sell spirits by 25ml quantities while some choose the 35ml measure.

Neil Chalmers added: "I hope that the public and licensed trade will welcome this project. It is in everyone's interest to see that measures are sold accurately throughout Scotland, especially over the summer when there are so many visitors in our pubs and restaurants."

The results of Fair Measure Fortnight will be known by the end of the summer. Any premises selling short measures more than 8 per cent deficient may be reported to the procurator fiscal. Licensees can be fined up to £5000 for providing inaccurate measures.

Note to Editors

• SCOTSS Is the professional body which represents trading standards services in all 32 Scottish Local Authorities. It co-ordinates fair trading, safety, and weights and measures issues across the country. As a section of the Trading Standards Institute its purpose is to promote excellence and enhance the professionalism of its members in support of informing consumers, encouraging honest businesses and targeting rogue traders.
• The project will consolidate statutory duties that trading standards have under the Weights & Measures Act 1985 to ensure that quantities prescribed for public sale are provided accurately as indicated. There are criminal penalties of a fine up to £5000 for anyone who provides inaccurate measures.
• SCOTSS spokespeople are available for interview; please contact Angela Blair, SCOTSS Coordinator for further details
• For a full copy of the project parameters please contact Angela Blair, SCOTSS Coordinator on 0141 946 4257 or email angela.blair@scotss.org.uk