Originally Posted by Stuart

Agreed. The problems the pubs have with the supermarkets are the same that a lot of other shops have with the supermarkets. That problem is that the supermarkets know that we are going to need to buy food. As such, they have a guaranteed money maker. The likes of Tesco and Sainsburys also have enough buying power that to a large extent, they can dictate prices that their suppliers charge. Even to the point where those suppliers take a *loss* on each item sold.

These two combine to mean that they can drop prices on other products (such as Alcohol) to below the point where it is profitable for any competitor. This is extremely bad for the economy (unless you seriously think we should all end up working for supermarkets).

I like a drink. I even occassionally buy Alcohol from my local Sainsburys. Usually if I am on the way to a friend's for a barbecue or other party. However, I do have concerns about the cheap availability of Alcohol in supermarkets. Why?

Two reasons. First, supermarkets often aren't as thorough in their checking of underage drinkers (at least around my area).

Second, if you drink too much in a pub and are obviously too drunk, a lot of publicans will ask you to leave. I have seen this happen many times in my various visits to pubs. If you buy a crate of some random strong lager at supermarket, down every single can and pass out in a puddle of your own vomit, no one is going to stop you. There is also the problem of what the long term effects on your body of drinking that amount are.