University of York researchers have developed a project to get more no and low (NoLo) alcoholic drinks available in venues across York and North Yorkshire.
To be launched at the CAMRA beer festival in York on Wednesday, researchers from the University’s School for Business and Society have created a NoLo guide with the City of York Council to help publicans understand how and why to offer alcohol-free drink options.
The project includes the development of free point-of-sale (POS) materials, designed in collaboration with York St John University student Sam Armstrong, which build on the team’s work, showing the need to make NoLo more visible in hospitality venues.
The project is part of an initial pilot study to see if the POS material helps to encourage further sale of NoLo drinks in venues across the city. The team will be evaluating the effectiveness of the materials through questionnaires with publicans.
“The CAMRA beer festival may seem an unusual place to kick-start this project, but we have had a surprisingly positive response from publicans,” said Dr Nadine Waehning, senior lecturer in marketing in the School for Business and Society. “NoLo drinks are more and more popular, and publicans want to reflect the needs and tastes of their consumers.
“Our research explores how NoLo products can be used to support more mindful drinking habits without harming pubs or the wider drinks industry. Our research shows that NoLo drinks could support public health goals without financial downsides for pubs. This project provides practical guidance for venues and contributes valuable evidence to inform local and national alcohol policies.”
Co-project lead, Professor Victoria Wells, professor of sustainable management in the School for Business and Society, added: “With more consumers looking for no- and low-alcohol products, it’s great to be able to launch a guide and materials that can help them be more visible and accessible. We hope publicans will find the materials useful and effective.”
Paul Crossman, owner of the Slip Inn and The Swan, said: “Low and no drinks are an increasingly important option for pubs and bars as drinking habits evolve in the modern world. The quality and range of drinks on offer has improved greatly in response, and we are able to access and stock a really interesting range of excellent independent options as a result.”
