Plan to ban alcohol advertising branded 'madness'

Kintyre's distillery chiefs have branded Scottish Government proposals which could see all alcohol advertising banned as ridiculous, madness and potentially catastrophic.

 

The government has launched a consultation to seek views on possible restrictions, including banning branded merchandise and public promotions, as well as prohibiting sponsorship of sports teams and music events.

 

Shops could also be forced to store alcohol behind the counter or in sectioned-off areas.

 

The proposals have been criticised by distillery bosses in Campbeltown, which was known as the whisky capital of the world during the Victorian age and still has three operational distilleries.

 

'This is madness,' said Glen Scotia Distillery manager Iain McAlister. 'Does the Scotch whisky industry need extraneous governmental regulation? I don’t think so. The industry is a fine example of self-regulation to a very high standard.

 

'This move would certainly be highly damaging for the Scotch whisky industry and all those associated with it.'

 

"attachment_81241" "aligncenter" "233"] Glen Scotia Distillery manager Iain McAlister.

 

Ranald Watson, director of sales and marketing at J&A Mitchell & Co Ltd, which operates Campbeltown's Springbank and Glengyle Distilleries and owns the independent bottler William Cadenhead, described the consultation as 'worrying'.

 

'While most right-thinking people would acknowledge that alcohol consumption continues to be a major issue in Scottish society, a blanket ban on alcohol advertising is a proposition completely lacking the nuance and subtlety required to actually make a difference to the problem,' he said.

 

'As is almost always the case with such proposals, it seems that those behind them lack a proper understanding of the wider drinks industry and the Scotch whisky sector specifically.

 

'It's ridiculous to suggest that a Springbank-branded Glencairn glass or a leather-bound notebook carrying the Cadenhead's logo are major contributors to the alcohol issues Scotland faces.

 

'Scotch whisky, and especially the single malt category, are in many ways Scotland's public face as a nation yet these proposals would effectively put a mask on that.'

 

"attachment_101699" "aligncenter" "179"] Ranald Watson, director of sales and marketing at J&A Mitchell & Co Ltd, which operates Campbeltown's Springbank and Glengyle Distilleries.

 

Mr Watson is also concerned about the wider-reaching impact, if the proposals come to fruition.

 

He said: 'What comes next when these plans fail to make a difference? Will distillery tours eventually be under threat? What about tastings? How does the Campbeltown Malts Festival, which brings huge sums of money into the local economy every year, work, if alcohol branding and advertising is forbidden?

 

'What is the future of the renowned Springbank Invitational piping competition if we're not allowed to put our name to it?'

 

He added: 'The industry brings a fortune into Scotland every year, especially in remote areas such as Campbeltown, Islay and the Highlands; parts of Scotland that don't have their economic troubles to seek.

 

'It really shouldn't be beyond the wit of the Scottish Government and the various public health agencies to come up with a set of proposals which tackle Scotland's problems but don't have an unnecessary, negative impact on the country's crown jewel.'

 

The concerns of Kintyre's whisky bosses are shared by the team at Torrisdale-based Beinn an Tuirc Distillers, where Kintyre Gin is produced.

 

Distillery director Emma Macalister Hall said: 'I am absolutely in support of producers being part of the conversation to tackle alcohol issues but the Scottish Government's "sledgehammer to crack a nut" approach does nothing except instil panic and worry into an industry that has already suffered from the double whammies of Brexit and the pandemic.

 

'And you can't separate the hospitality industry from this, especially in rural Scotland. The knock-on effect for businesses which rely on food and drink tourism could be catastrophic.'

 

"attachment_863386" "aligncenter" "199"] Beinn an Tuirc Distillers director Emma Macalister Hall.

 

'We would not have a business without marketing and merchandise is a big part of that.  If we can't promote our brand, or our destination, our visitor numbers will plummet and, ultimately, we would have to close and make redundancies.'

 

As the whisky and gin industries are such an important part of Kintyre's economy, the Courier asked the area's councillors if they were concerned about the impact of the proposals on their ward.

 

'These proposals are a step too far,' said South Kintyre councillor Donald Kelly. 'While recognising the importance of adopting a sensible and responsible approach to advertising alcohol, it is important that businesses are not bound by an ever-increasing amount of red tape.

 

'We are trying to support business development in our area and are hopeful that a number of new distilleries will be developed over the course of the next few years, creating much-needed employment for the local area.

 

'The Scottish Government seems hell bent on putting as many obstacles as it can in front of businesses, instead of applying common sense and supporting them.'

 

Ward colleague Councillor Tommy Macpherson said: 'In recent years, one of the very few successes for Kintyre has been the revival in our distilleries and the introduction of an award-winning gin.

 

'At a very local level, these proposals will impact on employment in our distilling, hospitality, tourism and leisure sectors.

 

'History called it prohibition, and the ramifications will be nothing short of catastrophic for the peninsula. I appeal to all Campbeltonians to reject this ill-conceived proposal. Whiskyopolis awaken!'

 

Kintyre and the Islands councillor Alastair Redman said: 'I stand firmly against this latest Orwellian overreach by the Scottish Government.

 

'Who even asked them to do this? Are there not other things for them to be getting on with? Like fixing our ferry service, the A83, our education, the health service and so much more.'

 

Fellow Kintyre and the Islands councillor Robin Currie said he had not yet been able to look at the consultation but will, adding: 'I would encourage others to do so as well.'

 

South Kintyre councillor John Armour and Kintyre and the Islands councillor Dougie McFadzean were also asked for their opinions but had not responded by the time the newspaper went to press.

 

The consultation – which is available on the Scottish Government's website at consult.gov.scot/alcohol-policy/alcohol-advertising-and-promotion – is open for views until March 9.