There is no such thing as bad publicity. It's a cliché which has been proved true, time and time again. Despite the phrase's fame, its message seems to have been lost on the members of Derry's Civic Alcohol Forum.
Once again, the CAF has JD Wetherspoon in its sights and, once again, the CAF has only succeeded in promoting the pub chain's two local establishments.
Twice in the last month members of the CAF have had a go at 'Spoons' for, allegedly, encouragin
g binge drinking in Derry. And twice, in the last month, the forum has given the pubs a series of headlines. Headlines the pubs would never have garnered, had the CAF not launched their attacks.
The first attack was in relation to the 'Respect the Shamrock, Respect Yourself' initiative in the build-up to St Patrick's Day. Wetherspoon's representatives were barred from attending the launch and the chair of Derry Vintners Association Les Doherty said: "Some of the big hitters from Wetherspoons had flown in and when they arrived they were told that they would be very welcome the second we got the sense that they are ready to be responsible retailers."
That ill-advised comment made it easy for Wetherspoon's to take the moral high ground, and use adjectives such as "small minded" and "churlish" when describing the decision to bar them from entry.
In Derry, Wetherspoon's no longer even needs to advertise - they can simply wait until the CAF has a go at them and then use their 'right to reply' to advertise whatever promotions or deals they want.
The CAF are probably well-meaning but drinkers in Derry do not want, or need, them to act as our moral compass. We can make up our own minds 'where', 'when' and 'how much' we drink, thank you very much.
Wetherspoon's latest venture in town is its plans for a 19-day beer festival at its pubs in the Diamond and the Strand Road.
The festival will feature cask-conditioned ales from around the world for sale from £1.29 a pint and a company spokesman insisted the festival would not encourage binge drinking.
When speaking to the 'Journal', he said: "This is an event for people to enjoy and will offer cask conditioned ales not normally available in Derry. We are not encouraging people to mix their drinks and we are definitely not encouraging people to drink more."
'Exorbitant prices'
The Wetherspoon's spokesman said the CAF should be questioning why the average price of a pint in the city is £2.60.
"We believe that £1.29 is a reasonable price for a pint", he added. "You have to wonder why the average price of a pint in Derry is £2.60.
"That seems an exorbitant price to charge a pensioner looking for a quiet pint. If they can get a decent beer for £1.29, then why should they not be allowed to?"
It's a perfectly fine argument which hints that the other establishments are ripping off the punters in Derry by charging too much for drinks. It also makes Derry vintners appear unable to cope with the competition from the pub chain.
Instead of attacking Wetherspoon's and - by association - its customers, it might have been a better move for Derry vintners to say: "Here, we are smaller than Wetherspoon's and need to charge a bit more for drinks. If you drink in our establishments you will be supporting your local community and helping local businesses.
Otherwise, we may have to close our doors." People in Derry are a rational and reasonable bunch and would be more receptive to such an approach. We don't respond well to being told where, or where not, to go.
The 'Beer Festival' has been described as "irresponsible" by CAF member Helen Quigley.
Colr Quigley said: "Once again Wetherspoon's is flying in the face of what the city is trying to do in addressing the whole issue of over consumption of alcohol by people of all ages.
"By selling pints for as little as £1.29, they are offering drinks greatly below the normal price of £2.60 a pint. I would also question the health effects of encouraging people to mix their drinks. No matter what way you dress it up, it is going to lead to people drinking more."
Well, frankly, it's not going to lead to me drinking more. There is already a tendency for a minority of people to drink as much as they possibly can on a Saturday night before unconsciousness, sickness or the police intervene. I don't think the Beer Festival will affect that minority one way or another.
I would be greatly surprised if police figures for alcohol-related crime changed significantly over the 19-day period.
Darren Niven, manager of The Diamond pub, said the festival would allow people in the city to try beers not normally available. That's only if we want to. Punters will not have their minds made up for them by the CAF.
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