NEW LICENSING fees, anti-social behaviour levies and a clampdown on alcohol promotions will be among the topics debated at a conference in St Andrews over the weekend.

The annual conference of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation begins today at Fairmont St Andrews.

Some 400 delegates, including retailers, suppliers and others in the convenience store trade, are expected to attend.

Chief executive John Drummond said he expected a lively debate on issues including new legislation on alcohol and government intervention relating to licensing fees, promotional activity and the suggested anti-social behaviour charge.

He has written to Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill ahead of the conference stating that the blame for antisocial behaviour cannot be placed on every retailer in the land.

“SGF members feel they are being targeted unfairly with the disproportionate nature of the new licensing fees.

“Now Kenny MacAskill wants to charge a levy to combat the costs involved in anti-social behaviour to every store in the land no matter the circumstances.

“This is an outrageous suggestion, especially when our members are going to great lengths to deal with the issues of age-related sales of alcohol in a responsible manner.”

New SGF president Colin Landsburgh will set out his agenda for the next year at the three-day event which will be chaired by Gary Robertson of BBC Radio Scotland.