Trading Standards officers in South Lanarkshire are conducting spot checks on licensed premises to enforce weights and measures laws. Under the Fair Measure Initiative, officers pose as customers to verify that draught beer, cider, wine, fortified wine, gin, rum, vodka, and whisky are sold in prescribed quantities as per The Weights and Measures (Intoxicating Liquor) Order 1988.
One in three pubs fail spirit measure checks
According to Fraser Carlin, head of planning and regulatory services at South Lanarkshire Council, three out of ten premises visited so far have served short measures of spirits. In one case, a whisky measure was 12.5% short, costing the customer an extra 49p per drink. Carlin emphasised that this represents a significant financial loss to consumers over time.
Enforcement and training offered
Where short measures are found, Trading Standards officers take appropriate enforcement action. As part of the initiative, which runs through the summer, licensed premises can request free practical training on using verified thimble measures to ensure legal compliance. Businesses interested can email business.enquiries@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.
