PUB owners have expressed mixed views on a proposal for minimum alcohol pricing for supermarkets and off-licenses but have agreed current prices should controlled.

The proposal consultation period, which ended last week, suggested, among other actions, a minimum of 45p per alcohol unit for all beverages sold in supermarkets and off-licenses.

Official documents showed that this could lead to up tp a 52 per cent increase.

Tracey Hudson, landlady at the Duke of Cambridge, in Queen’s Road, Marlow, said: “People nowadays can pick up five beers at the supermarket for the price they would pay a pint, so I am very happy with this.

“I believe it will make people drink where they should be drinking – at the pubs.”

Michael Kellas, landlord of the Cross Keys in Spittal Street, said the proposal is a two-edged sword that could end up being unfair to the majority of people.

He said: “It may stop people from giving away alcohol, but the small percentage of people who binge drink will find another way so, although needed, seems unfair on those who drink responsibly at home.”

Antosh Samek, owner of Clayton’s in Oxford Road, Marlow, was confident that the proposal would have little effect on his bar.

He believes an increase may be a good measure to prevent people from buying alcohol too cheap but added: “Generally speaking it’s a good idea, but at the level of 45p a unit it may too high and seem extreme.”

The Home Office document outlining the main points of the proposals stated: “It is responsible drinkers, businesses and the wider community who are paying the price in terms of crime and disorder on our streets, while alcohol-related injuries are clogging up our accident and emergency rooms.”

The main points of the Home Office Alcohol Strategy are:

- Introduce a minimum unit price for alcohol

- Consult on a ban on the sale of multi-buy alcohol discounting

- Introduce stronger powers for local areas to control the density of licensed premises

- Pilot innovative sobriety schemes to challenge alcohol-related offending.