The ten Greater Manchester authorities, including Stockport, are being urged to introduce a minimum per-unit price for alcohol across the area.

The move, planned for October, would see a standard bottle of wine costing at least £4.50, a 700ml bottle of whisky £14 and a six pack of lager at least £6.

Stockport Council has come out against the plans, for the simple reason that the council doesn’t think it makes sense to do it on a Greater Manchester basis rather than nationwide.

I have to say I agree.  There’s a case for minimum alcohol pricing, but if implemented, this would see alcoholic drinks sold at one price in Cheadle, Gatley and Heald Green and a totally different  price in Handforth, Poynton, Wilmslow or Macclesfield.

The cost of alcohol in Sainsburys and Cheadle Royal or Tesco at Baguley would be a lot higher than the same products at Tesco in Handforth Dean.

I wonder what people will do.  Pay more – or just pop down to Handforth Dean.

My feeling is that implementing a minimum price in this way won’t reduce alcohol consumption – it will just change shopping habits.  And it will be shops in Stockport that lost out as people go elsewhere to save money.

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