PREDICTIONS that pub profits would plummet after the introduction of Scotland’s lower drink-drive limit have been disproved, research now suggests.

In the first study of its kind, experts at the University of Stirling interviewed owners and managers of on-trade premises, such as pubs, restaurants and nightclubs, to understand how the legislation had affected their businesses following its introduction almost five years ago.

The Scottish Government introduced legislation to reduce the blood alcohol limit for drivers from 80 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dl) to 50 mg/dl in December 2014. The team found that proprietors reported observing fewer people drinking after work and more leaving premises earlier on weekdays – but most reported no long-term financial impact on their business. Many reported making changes due to the legislative shift, including improving the range of food and low or non-alcoholic drinks offered. Business owners and managers interviewed felt that these changes were key to minimising the economic impact of the stricter rules.

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The study found most participants were supportive of the limit change, and although some reported a short-term impact, lasting around six to 12 months, profits returned to normal after this period. Rural pubs in the study were more likely to report a negative economic effect, while urban food-led outlets were less likely to do so as customers continued to eat out, switching alcohol for soft drinks.

There was a general belief that more people had stopped drinking alcohol if they had to drive, and proprietors felt that this behavioural change stemmed from the message that the “best advice is none”.

The study identified three groups as being particularly affected by the change in legislation: the after work drinker, the next morning driver – with customers ceasing drinking earlier in the evening – and the lunchtime drinker. Many businesses had made positive changes and had flexible attitudes around what they offered consumers.

A small number had developed relationships with local taxi firms or offered a free-phone taxi line in a proactive approach to transportation. Some participants described a growing trend in customer demand for low or no alcohol drinks, while others catered for designated drivers, offering free soft drinks or bottled water.

Dr Niamh Fitzgerald, associate professor in the Institute of Social Marketing, who led the study, said it had international relevance.

“Opposition to legislative measures that impact on commercial interests is often strong and receives public attention,” she pointed out.

“We observed instances of this in the run up to – and in the months following – the change of Scotland’s drink-drive laws.

“This study found that businesses in the study had adapted to the change and reported little long-term economic impact.

“The findings are of international relevance as lower drink-drive limits are being considered in other countries, with debates including discussions around the impact on business.”

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Dr Fitzgerald added: “We found a broad acceptance of the change in legislation, with most reporting no persistent financial impact on their businesses – despite some changes in customer behaviour.

“The findings of our study ought to provide policymakers with some reassurance that the on-trade alcohol retail sector may successfully adapt business practices and products offered in the context of a reduced drink-drive limit.”

The research involved interviews with 16 owners and managers of on-trade premises in Scotland in 2018.

A previous study related to the same research project found that the lowering of the limit had no impact on the number of road traffic accidents.

Researchers concluded that the road safety gains of the move were marginal, but that this did not mean there weren’t good reasons for it.

The latest paper “How did a lower drink-drive limit affect bar trade and drinking practices? A qualitative study of how alcohol retailers experienced a change in policy” is published in Drug and Alcohol Review.