Every public house in Dundee visited by undercover officers was found to be flouting the law during a check on spirit measures.
None of the spirit measures sampled provided the correct amount, and in 47% of them there was more alcohol poured than there should have been.
It could have a significant risk for customers who were driving, or for medical reasons needed to monitor their alcohol intake.
Seven warnings are to be issued to the licence holders of pubs caught red-handed.
The depute convener of Dundee City Council’s environment services committee, Craig Melville, said it was “disappointing.”
He said, “This is something that we are taking seriously and talking to the licensed trade about.
“As well as customers not getting what they pay for, obviously incorrect measures can have an impact on health.”
The law says licensed premises must sell spirits in 25ml or 35ml measures, and clearly indicate which measure they use.
The 17 tests, part of a Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland’s (SCOTSS) Fair Measure investigation, were carried out at nine premises in the city with nine measures coming up short, and the rest over.
At this point, no reports will be made to the procurator fiscal.
The city council said the survey was carried out on an anonymous basis and declined to release the names of the pubs.
The SCOTSS probe found 45% of measures across the country were short, while 55% were over.
Between August 1 and September 17, trading standards officers in 18 of Scotland’s 32 council areas visited 189 premises.
A total of 370 samples were bought and, of these, 166 were less than the 25ml or 35ml legal spirit measure, while 204 were greater.
Results are fairly consistent throughout the country.
David Roderick, chairman of SCOTSS, said, “This is a very disappointing outcome and the results certainly justify local authorities carrying out this sort of project.”
Colin Wilkinson, secretary of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, added, “The results of this survey emphasise the need for licensees and their staff to receive the proper training in all aspects of managing licensed premises.”
Photo courtesy of Stewart Lloyd-Jones.