Short shrift for short measures in Argyll pubs

Trading Standards officers from Argyll and Bute Council have a short message for bars and restaurants serving short measures –“Measure up or else.”

The warning comes after officers conducted random checks of spirit measures poured in pubs and restaurants in Argyll and Bute and found more than half served less than they should.

Only three of the 14 premises inspected poured correct measures. Two premises received verbal warnings for slight under-measures, seven receive written warnings for significant under-measures and two will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

Officers carried out the visits as part of the national ‘Fair Measure 2010’ campaign, carried out by trading standards officers across Scotland during August and September 2010.

The results in Argyll and Bute reflect the national pattern, with on average 45% of measures falling short.

Councillor Robert Macintyre, council spokesperson for economy, environment and rural affairs, hopes establishments will get the message that measurements have to measure up. He explains:

“The results of our tests show that there’s still a need for officers to carry out random tests to ensure visitors to our pubs and restaurants receive value for money. No-one likes to feel they’ve been short-changed and we take our responsibility to make sure our licensed establishments measure up very seriously.

“I hope this serves as a warning to anyone out there who thinks they can get away with not serving full measures a clear message – if you don’t measure up you’ll have to face the consequences.”

Argyll and Bute Council has a statutory duty under the Weights & Measures Act 1985 to ensure quantities prescribed for public sale are provided accurately as indicated. There are criminal penalties of a fine up to £5000 for anyone who provides inaccurate measures.