Our CSR Policy Aims

The Union of UEA Students is committed to operating a policy that supports sensible and responsible drinking. This will cover marketing and promotional activity as well as meeting appropriate regulatory and legal requirements. Below are extracts from our Corporate Social Responsibility policy.

Responsible Drinking

The Union of UEA Students recognises that the consumption of alcoholic beverages is for many part of the ‘student experience’ and University life. However, we also recognise that:

•  alcoholic beverages when consumed irresponsibly can create problems for the individual, the university community and the local community as a whole.

•  we have a duty of care to ensure that we market, promote and sell alcohol responsibly, whether this be from our bars or from our shops.

•  our customers should be encouraged to drink responsibly by us.

To this end we have produced the following policy which will operate in all licensed areas, both bars and shops.

Drinks Policy: Union Bars

•  Ensure that staff request ID from all customers who appear to be under 18, and refuse the sale if ID is not provided.

•  Any person appearing to be drunk will not be sold alcohol.

•  The ABV of any one drink will not be altered.

•  No mixing of liqueurs/spirits and ‘ready to drink’ drinks which gives the perception of irresponsible drinking.

•  No triple measures.

•  No drinking accessories.

•  No reduced price on drinks that could lead to anti-social behaviour.

•  There will be no price promotion of alcohol with the exception of:

1. Brand Awareness- where one brand is reduced in price to encourage customers to try the product in preference to their usual brand.

2. Good value pricing- where one or two products are reduced for an entire evening to offer good value to our customers. These prices will never be less than equivalent products available from other high street outlets

•  Cocktails are not to have more than two measures of alcohol.

•  Drinking games will be actively discouraged. This will include speed drinking and games which involve ‘down in one’ principles.

•  We will produce a campaign to promote safe drinking which will include a statement printed on our event flyers or posters.

•  Free water will be made available in all bars.

•  Plastic glasses will be used at any event where glass is considered a risk..

•  No ‘up selling’ by staff

•  Within the shops, price promotions will be priced to ensure that they are not lower than any offered by other high street competitors and they are not designed to encourage large bulk buying of alcohol.

Promotion and Marketing of Alcohol

Unacceptable Promotional Activity

•  Any promotional activity that implies drinks being ‘downed in one’ or which incentivises speed drinking.

•  Promotions that involve drinking games.

•  All-inclusive promotions- including large quantities of, or all drinks, in the admission fee.

•  Sampling activity that offers more than 1.5 units of alcohol per person.

•  Association with violence or anti-social behaviour.

•  Direct or indirect references to drug culture or illegal drugs.

•  Links with any alcohol or tobacco related products in promotions that glamourises excessiveness or irresponsible drinking.

•  Activity which presents abstinence in a negative light.

Good Practice

The following represent examples of good practice:

•  Round buying promotions.

•  The inclusion of responsible drinking messages and alcohol units where appropriate.

•  Promotions that are run over a period of time to ensure that prizes such as drink vouchers can be redeemed later, not just on the day they are won.

•  Promotional activity that incorporates a soft drink offer.

•  Any time limited promotion should be for 2 hours or longer.