Scots get set for border raids to buy cheaper alcohol

Introduction of minimum pricing could see Scottish ‘booze cruises’ to save money in English stores

SCOTTISH “booze cruises” into England have been predicted as experts say new minimum pricing could lead to people crossing the border for cheaper alcohol. Trade experts said the trips were a likely consequence of a Supreme Court ruling that new price rules proposed by the Scottish Parliament five years ago could become law.

Chris Snowdon, head of lifestyle economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, a think tank, said the trips, similar to holidays to the continent taken by English drinkers looking for cheap French wine, were “certain”.

“The only question is to what extent,” he added. “People particularly, if they live near the border, could pop over if they’re having a wedding or a party or something. I think it would certainly be of concern to the retailers in the south of Scotland who might be affected by it.”

He added that another side effect could be a black market as Scots buy cheaper alcohol to sell at home. “The profits people could make if they want to go into the business of selling something in Scotland are not insignificant,” he said.

Mike Little, sales manager at

12-month old independent whisky store House of Malt in Carlisle, said the change could be “quite lucrative”.

“We’re actually one of the cheapest online if not the cheapest already, but this could be really good for business.

“We are having a meeting and discussing things like promotions so I think we might look at doing something. You never know what will happen, but it could be a good opportunity,” he said.

At Majestic Wines in Berwick-upon-tweed, the manager said the issue was due to be discussed at a regional meeting the following day. On the other side of the border, in Annan, south-west Scotland, the manager of newsagent Mccolls said the change could have an impact on business.

“It could have an effect because we’re so near the border – they could cross into Carlisle,” she said.

A spokesman for Spirits Europe, one of the groups which brought the appeal, said the travel was a possible sideeffect of the ruling.

“It could happen with this – there are examples where the price policy measure can have this impact and can even push people to get the products from other markets. People do look for other options,” he said.

A spokesman for Majestic Wines said it did not anticipate a significant impact on its business as all of its products adhere to minimum pricing anyway.

The change will introduce a 50pper-unit minimum price for alcohol sold in Scotland. Last year Alcohol Focus Scotland claimed that 14 units of alcohol could be bought for as little as £2.52.