Campaign encourages City drinkers to feel confident asking for top-ups on short measure pints

Posted 01/02/18

A campaign encouraging drinkers to feel confident in asking for a top-up if they are sold a short measure pint has launched in the City of London today.

The Weights and Measures Act 1985 controls the prescribed quantities that draught beers should be sold in but there has always been a grey area over whether the head should be included as part of the pint.

Industry body the British Beer & Pub Association says a pint should contain a minimum of 95% liquid and 5% head.

And City of London Corporation Trading Standards officers are recommending that, strictly speaking, a pint should mean a pint of liquid and drinkers are well within their rights to request a top up if they want.

Special beer mats have been produced to help consumers check if a pint is short [pictured] with further advice on the City Corporation’s website (www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/shortmeasure).

Drinkers can hold the beermat against the glass to get a rough idea of the quantity of liquid they have been served.

Consumers are being encouraged to contact City of London Trading Standards* if they are sold a short pint and don’t feel confident to ask for a top up, or if they get an unhelpful reaction when they do.

Based on any complaints received as a result of this campaign, Trading Standards Officers will be conducting test purchases across the City in the coming months and investigating premises that continue to sell short measures.

Steve Playle, Trading Standards Manager at the City of London Corporation, said:

“Consumers are well within their rights to make sure they get exactly what they’ve paid for.

“It’s worth remembering that for a pint costing five pounds, a shortage of five percent is a 25p cost to the consumer. Drinkers are entirely within their rights to ask for a full pint of liquid if they wish.

“We are reminding people that it is perfectly okay to ask for a top-up whilst stressing that they should continue to drink responsibly.”

City Corporation Trading Standards has already written to all pubs in the Square Mile to remind them of their legal obligations - including their duty to prevent underage sales - and to refer people with drinking problems to Square Mile Health**, which provides alcohol support services.

City of London Corporation Trading Standards is responsible for enforcing a wide range of legislation relating to the supply and distribution of goods and services in the Square Mile.

Ends

Media enquiries

Carl Locsin, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 7332 3654 / M 0738 862 229

E [email protected]

 

Notes to editors

About the campaign

• * Consumers can email [email protected] or call 03454 04 05 06 (Monday-Friday, 09.00-17.00)

• ** WDP Square Mile Health offers free and confidential support to those who affected by substance misuse

 About the City of London Corporation:

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.

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