DERRY businesses are reaping the benefits from an alcohol price increase in the Republic.
Donegal shoppers are beating a path to Derry off-licences and local supermarkets since the Republic’s change in alcohol prices.
Earlier this month minimum unit pricing on alcohol came into effect south of the border.
The policy is similar to those in place in Scotland and Wales and is one the Irish government believes will change dangerous drinking patterns.
But similar measures are not in place in the North of Ireland.
A body representing Irish off-licences says that means many products now retail at twice the price in the Republic compared to North of the border.
That has some border businesses readying for a spike in trade.
Under the new measures, a standard bottle of wine cannot be sold for less than €7.40 (£6.40) and a can of beer for less than €1.70 (£1.40).
Spirits with 40 per cent alcohol content cannot be sold for less than €20.70 (£17.30) and a 700ml bottle of whiskey for less than €22 (£18.40).
Derry businessman Garvan O’Doherty has noticed an increase in sales.
January is also the wrong month to gauge any increase in trade from across the border, he says.
He owns five Chill off-licences in Derry, some close to the border with County Donegal.
“January is normally a very slow period but we have noticed for last week’s trade a 3 per cent increase, which we are attributing to cross border shoppers.
“Most people have either stocked up or are fed up having a drink over the Christmas period,” he adds.
But he is also hopeful things change in the months ahead.
Already he has noticed “price-checkers” come from the Republic.
Derry businessman and off-licence owner Garvan O’Doherty
Moves to introduce minimum pricing in Northern Ireland have been talked about for more than a decade., with the Department of Health saying plans are moving forward.
An all-island policy has also been discussed previously.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the policy has the “potential to be a key population-level health measure to address the harms related to alcohol consumption”.
She said a consultation on minimum unit pricing is being developed and that it is anticipated it will be issued early this year.
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