Survey finds seven out of ten alcoholic drinks offered are quick measures

Going to the local might seem like an unusual strategy to cut down on your drinking.

But seven out of ten alcoholic drinks sold in the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants are short measures, a survey by watchdogs has found.

The Chartered Trading Standards Institute said its members carried out 137 test purchases of beer and wine nationwide. Some 96 – marginally over 70 per cent of the total – were shorter than the full measure.

When broken down between beer and wine, 86 per cent of beer was short measured while 43 per cent of wine was found to be short measured.

The average deficit for short-measured beer found in the survey was 4 per cent, while for wine it was 5 per cent.

Seven out of ten alcoholic drinks sold in the UK’s pubs, bars and restaurants are short measures, a survey by watchdogs has found (Stock Image)

When broken down between beer and wine, 86 per cent of beer was short measured while 43 per cent of wine was found to be short measured (Stock Image)

The findings come at a time when the price of alcoholic drinks is at an all-time high. According to the Office of National Statistics, the average price of a bottle of red wine has increased 8 per cent in the last year, while the typical cost a pint of lager is up 5.6 per cent.

The largest short measure was a deficit of 15 per cent found on a 175ml glass of wine in Walsall, with the drink costing £3.20.

Bosses at the CTSI advise that customers served a short measure should ask for an immediate top-up. If the request is refused, the incident should be reported to trading standards.

John Herriman, Chief Executive at CTSI said: ‘We are calling on the hospitality sector to ensure that consumers get value for money by making sure they are correctly measuring the drinks they are serving to customers in the nation’s pubs and bars.’

CAMRA National Chairman Nik Antona said: ‘Consumers shouldn’t have to feel short changed when they support their favourite pubs, social clubs, and taprooms. The idea that 70% of all beer bought at the bar is being short measured in the UK is extremely concerning.’

Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley, and CTSI Vice President, said: ‘The cost of living means people can hardly afford a drink.

‘To discover you’re being served short measures adds insult to injury. A short measure cheats us all, but affects those worst off, the hardest.’