On Tuesday 1^st August, the Alcohol Duty systems will become much simpler, taxing all alcoholic drinks based on their alcohol by volume (ABV).

This replaces the current Alcohol Duty system, which consists of four separate taxes covering beer, cider, spirits, wine and made-wine.

It will make the system fairer and responsive to new products entering the market as consumer tastes evolve.

Small producers, including pubs and restaurants, will benefit from reduced rates on qualifying products, such as draught beer and cider.

From 1^st August alcohol such as still cider, spirits and wine with an alcoholic strength of at least 3.5% but less than 8.5% will see the rate of duty per litre of alcohol in the product at £9.67; while wine between 11.5% and 14.5% will be treated as if it is 12.5% ABV for the purposes of calculating the charge to alcohol duty from 1^st August 2023 until 1^st February 2025.

‘TAX SIMPLIFICATION’

The new system will reflect the UK Government’s commitment to tax simplification, helping to foster the right conditions for businesses to prosper and the economy to grow, which is one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Gareth Davies said: “Because we left the EU we can make sure our alcohol duty system works for us.

“From next month the whole system will be simpler, the duty will reflect the strength of the drink. We will also protect pubs and brewers with our Brexit Pubs Guarantee keeping Draught Duty down and a new Small Producer Relief.”

Jonathan Athow, Director General of Customer Strategy & Tax Design, HMRC, said: “After listening to feedback from industry, economists, consumer organisations, public health groups and many business owners, the new Alcohol Duty system will be based on the founding principle of taxing alcoholic products by strength, ensuring consistency across the board for the first time.

“The new system will support the government’s public health objectives, and provide extra support to small producers, pubs and the hospitality sector.”

The new system will create six standardised alcohol duty bands across all types of alcoholic products and apply to all individuals and businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, holding and sale of alcoholic products across the UK.

These reforms will replace and extend the existing Small Brewers Relief with Small Producer Relief. This means that all small businesses that produce any alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% will be eligible for reduced rates on qualifying products, if they produce less than 4,500 hectolitres per year.

SUPPORTING INDUSTRY

To support the hospitality industry, and recognising the vital role played by pubs in our communities, there will also be a reduced rate for draught products – known as Draught Relief. This will reduce Alcohol Duty on qualifying beer and cider by 9.2%, and by 23% on qualifying wine-based, spirits-based and other fermented products, sold in on-trade premises such as pubs and restaurants.

The reforms will mean that every pint in every pub across the UK will pay less duty than their supermarket equivalent, in line with the UK Government’s Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

To support wine producers and importers in moving to the new method of calculating duty on their products, temporary arrangements will be in place for 18 months from 1 August 2023 until 1 February 2025.

To support innovation and responsible drinking, low strength drinks below 3.5% ABV will be charged at a new lower rate of duty. In making these changes, the UK Government aims to encourage product innovation and ensure the Alcohol Duty systems works for business and consumers.

More information on the new Alcohol Duty rates and reliefs can be found on GOV.UK.

Those involved in the production of smaller quantities of alcoholic products, can check the reduced rates of duty that apply to them by using the Small Producer Relief calculator. HMRC is also running a series of live webinars throughout July 2023 and in the months ahead to further support the alcohol industry through these changes.

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It is the final in a series of changes under new laws passed by Stormont in 2021 and sees the prohibition of loyalty schemes introduced from this month.

Major retailers including Tesco and Sainsbury’s have used signage in their stores to notify customers of the changes, which no longer allows them to offer Clubcard or Nectar points on alcohol products.

The law applies to all alcohol sellers in Northern Ireland, including shops and supermarkets.

LICENSING LAW

The new law is phase five of the Licensing and Registration of Clubs (Amendment) Act (Northern Ireland) 2021, with Article 57ZB prohibiting licence holders from “operating a membership scheme which provides rewards to its members when purchasing intoxicating liquor and allows the member to redeem the rewards to reduce the price of the intoxicating liquor or receive it free of charge”.

Operating such a scheme carries a fine of up to £5000.

The Department for Communities is responsible for the policy and legislation regulating the retail sale and supply of alcoholic drinks in NI. The current law dates back to 1996 and reform was an Executive priority under the New Decade New Approach deal.

Key changes in the new law also includes the prohibition of self-service of alcohol and sales by vending machines and restrictions placed on off-sales drinks promotions.

The aim of licensing law is to “try and strike a balance between the controls which are necessary for the protection of public health and the preservation of public order, and on the other hand, individual freedom of choice and the opportunity for local businesses to meet customer’s expectations”.

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 A new range of West Coast Cooler cans is rolling out in bars, restaurants and off licenses across Northern Ireland, replacing the brand’s 250ml bottles.

New-look 750ml sharing bottles will also be available in off licenses later this summer. Both the bottles and new cans feature on-trend pastel blue and pink labels, inspired by the brand’s original and rosé flavours.

To celebrate the 2022 makeover of the iconic Irish wine cooler born in the 80s, a new ‘Only Cans’ campaign will keep the fizz flowing throughout the summer. The brand has commissioned a special vending machine dispensing only the new-look cans, which will pop up at selected events and brand activations over the summer.

The quirky new vending machine had its first outing as West Coast Cooler officially unveiled its new look at a special ‘BFF Brunch Live’ launch event at Margot, Belfast on Sunday 24 July.

Hosted by Cool FM presenter Melissa Riddell, the event featured special guests including Q Radio presenter, Jordan Humphries and bloggers, Emma Jane Mooney and Fiona McCarten (Gluten Free Fi), sharing heartwarming and hilarious stories of their closest friendships. Guests at the event included media personalities, bloggers, TikTok stars and their best friends.

With digital content harnessing humour and focusing on the theme of friendship, West Coast Cooler hopes to reclaim its place in the hearts of its OG fans, whilst reaching out to a new generation, who are prioritising time with friends as an important form of self-care.

West Coast Cooler may have a brand-new look, but it’s the same great product inside. The refreshing wine cooler is best served chilled, over ice and comes in two flavours – Original and Rosé, in a 750ml bottle, and new 250ml can. West Coast Original has just 93 calories per can and West Coast Cooler Rosé 88 calories per can.

Commenting on the launch, Laura Shiels, brand manager for West Coast Cooler said: “West Coast Cooler has been at the heart of many memorable moments shared by friends for over four decades. With our relaunch campaign, we’re celebrating these friendships and look forward to helping people make more memories this summer.

“Our new slender 250ml can format is a direct response to consumer demand, with cans becoming increasingly popular in the Ready to Drink market.”

To find out more, connect with West Coast Cooler on Facebook and Instagram, @westcoastcoolerni or search the #CoolerSummer hashtag.

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The agreement sees Britvic Northern Ireland become the racecourse’s exclusive soft drinks partner throughout its annual race calendar and their iconic mixer brand Club Mixers become the official sponsor of the May Day race meeting set to take place on Monday 2^nd May 2022.

The partnership with Down Royal includes naming rights for The Club Mixers May Day race meeting and sees direct promotional and marketing support of the full Britvic brand portfolio, including sponsorship of all seven race titles.

Down Royal Director of Sales & Marketing, Claire Rutherford said: “We are thrilled to partner with such a dynamic soft drinks company as Britvic and are excited to grow the relationship both on and off the track.

“Britvic’s brands are steeped in history, and they share our passion for helping people to enjoy life’s everyday moments. We are always looking to work with local brands who share our commitment to developing authentic and elevated experiences for racegoers and the Club Mixers brand is the perfect fit for us.

“Through this new partnership we hope to enhance the race-going experience and give people an extra reason to visit Down Royal and to keep coming back.”

Brian Greer, Marketing Manager, Club Mixers said: “We are very excited about this new partnership with Down Royal which gives us a perfect platform to showcase the attributes of heritage, quality and reliability associated with our Club Mixers portfolio.

“We look forward to engaging with the thousands of avid racegoers who attend the racecourse throughout the year and to encouraging them to explore the expertly crafted Club Mixers range which are the perfect accompaniment to a wide range of popular gins, vodkas, whiskeys or delicious on their own.”

Caption: Clare Rutherford, Director of Sales & Marketing at Down Royal Racecourse and Cathy Fox, Head of Britvic Licensed Sales NI.

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