MORNING shoppers on the way back from the school run or trying to beat the crowds will not be able to buy a bottle of wine along with the rest of their groceries under the new rules passed by the Scottish Parliament.
The chaotic politics that resulted in a tightening of opening hours on off-licences has left the licensed trade furious and consumers asking what logic lies behind the move.
The new Licensing (Scotland) Act was intended to leave it to local licensing boards to choose opening hours appropriate to the communities they represent, with the powers to set and enforce tough conditions on licensees. That followed recommendations from anexpert commission, led by Sheriff Principal Gordon Nicholson.
But after a last-minute split in the coalition, Labour allied with Conservatives for a regime that will mean opening hours for off-licences - but not for pubs and clubs - will be constrained by hours in national legislation.
The 1976 licensing law allowed off-sales to open between 8am and 10pm, while on Sundays, a concession to church pressure meant that it has not been possible to buy drink before 12.30pm.
The new law, passed by MSPs on Wednesday, means that from its implementation in 2008, Sunday will be treated like other days of the week, but that alcohol can only be sold from 10am until 10pm.
FrankMcAveety, the Labour back bencher representing Glasgow Shettletson, who proposed the legislative amendment, was accused in the debate of pushing "a Glasgow solution" that reflects alcoholrelated violence and antisocial behaviour in the city but is not appropriate to the rest of the country.
The Scottish Consumer Council, which contributed to the lengthy deliberations around the new law before the off-sales provisions were torn up, said the reason for the new law now needs explained by legislators.
GraemeMillar, the council's chairman, said: "It is a clear reduction in the choice that is currently available with no obvious logic behind it."
A much stronger response came from the Scottish Retail Consortium. It represents, among others, the major supermarket chains that had hoped to see 24-hour off-sales allowed, but argued that at least they should be given a fair deal alongside pub and club sales of alcohol.
Fiona Moriarty, the SRC director, said: "The bill as passed yesterday is a complete departure from Nicholson's recommendations.We find it very worrying that policy is being developed on assumptions and proposition."
She added that the industry was committed to implementing other elements of the new licensing law, including tougher sanctions on those who sell to those aged under 18.
Asda, the superstore giant, said the feedback from its customers was that there was disappointment at not being able to buy alcohol at certain times.
Asked how customers would feel about aisles selling alcohol being blocked off for longer, a spokeswoman for Tesco said it would not be appropriate to speculate yet.
"It hasn't happened yet but no doubt customers will feed back their thoughts as and when the new system comes into place".
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