UK: Retail of Alcohol Standards Group appoints consultant

The Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) has appointed a consultant to develop the work of Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAPs) in tackling underage alcohol purchase and possession in the UK.

Philip Loring, formerly head of central operations for First Quench Retailing, will work with retailers and enforcement agencies around the UK to develop new and existing projects, the group announced today (28 July).

Previously having worked for Augustus Barnett, Victoria Wine and Thresher before heading up the rebranded First Quench Retailing central operations team, Loring will be based at the Wine & Spirit Trade Association's offices in London.

Nick Grant, chairman of RASG, said: "I am sure Philip's experience in the retail trade will help other retailers and enforcement agencies understand the benefits of partnership working."

The projects aim to tackle the problems caused to communities by underage access to alcohol through co-operation between alcohol retailers and local stakeholders, such as Trading Standards, police, local authority licensing teams, schools and health networks.

A toolkit to help local authorities, police and retailers set up CAPs was developed off the back of a pilot scheme in St Neots, Cambridgeshire in 2007. It is endorsed by the Home Office.

SABMiller yesterday announced plans to sponsor 800 employees from small and medium alcoholic drinks retailers across the UK to help them gain qualifications in responsible drinks sales.