Wetherspoon’s want to let 16-year-olds buy booze in their pubs
The JD Wetherspoon boss claimed that moderate drinking in a safe, pub environment would deter young people from overdoing it
THE boss of JD Wetherspoon has claimed that teenagers should be allowed to enjoy a civilised pint or two in their local to combat the ill-effects of binge drinking.
Tim Martin, the Brexit-loving pub boss who has threatened to ban European beers in his establishments, claimed that British teenagers need to be taught how to drink socially.
And the 61-year-old believes that the best way to encourage safe drinking habits in teenagers is to allow them to be introduced to pub culture from a younger age.
The JD Wetherspoon boss claimed that moderate drinking in a safe, pub environment would deter young people from overdoing it with cheap, supermarket booze.
And if 16-year-olds could learn how to drink safely in pubs before heading off on nights out, he believes that there is less risk of them damaging themselves by developing dangerous drinking habits.
'Spoons boss Tim, who owns over 1,000 pubs across Britain and Ireland, told the that pubs have “more or less become ghettos now for adults."
He added: "Some sort of system that allowed 16-year-olds to have a beer or two in a pub would be good.”
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Currently, 16-year-olds can only drink in pubs if they are eating a meal and are accompanied by an adult.
Otherwise, people under the age of 18 cannot legally approach a bar and order themselves an alcoholic drink - something which Tim believes contributes to the UK's binge drinking culture.
His wish may also allow for a revival of the UK pub scene, with around 30 British boozers going out of business every week.
Tim said: "You lose a lot without pubs. They’re an important part of the social and cultural life of the country."
But in spite of declining pub numbers, Wetherspoons has continued to grow, and currently employs around 35,000 staff.
The 'Spoons boss has also made headlines recently for his outspoken support for Brexit, having been a leading industry voice against the EU for years.