BLACKBURN pub landlord Geoff Sutcliffe has backed the Government’s minimum pricing for alcohol proposals.

Mr Sutcliffe, who runs The Rising Sun in Whalley New Road, has recorded a video in which he says the move would help businesses and help tackle binge drinking.

The chairman of Blackburn’s Federation of Licensed Victuallers Association said cheap alcohol in supermarkets and shops led people to abandon tradional pubs in favour of drinking at home.

Blackburn with Darwen Council recently passed a motion urging Government to introduce minimum unit pricing for alcohol to tackle the health harms associated with excessive drinking and to help dwindling trade at traditional pubs.

Coun Brian Taylor, lead member for health and adult social care, also appears in the video pointing out the huge cost of excessive alcohol consumption in the borough in terms of violent crime, anti-social behaviour and ill health and how he believes minimum unit pricing would create a more level playing field between pubs and supermarkets.

Coun Taylor said: “We were disappointed to learn the Government has not brought forward this solution.

“Through this motion, we urge them to reconsider.

“This could be an effective solution and it is backed up by research.

“As I point out in the video, cheap alcohol also has a huge impact on pubs, which are having trouble competing and, sadly, many of them are closing.

“We hope to send a strong message to government about the importance of this policy.”

To view the video, visit www.you tube.com/watch?v=DuOl-wL47W0