PERILS OF PRE-LOADING PATRONS
Pre-loading, or consuming alcohol prior to attending a licensed venue, is not new to the hospitality industry, especially in the more expensive entertainment precincts in Sydney. I am sure we all know someone that has gone to a Club or a cheap Pub to “load up” before visiting an expensive restaurant or nightclub…. which begs the question:
What has been the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on preloading behaviour?
There is limited data on recent pre-loading behaviour. However, a major study on alcohol consumption before the cost-of-living crisis indicated that preloading in Australia was already widespread, on the rise, and driven by the need to save money*. Furthermore, the latest edition of CGA’s Consumer Pulse Report on out-of-home drinking trends across Australia, found that beer and spirits prices have gone up by 11% and 12% respectively since 2022. Given these factors, it would be reasonable to assume that the incidence of preloading has increased in recent times.
It’s important for hospitality staff, especially new licensees, to be aware of the hazardous effects of pre-loading on their patrons. Research indicates that patrons who preload drink more alcohol over the course of the night resulting in increased risk taking, antisocial behaviours, as well as alcohol abuse and dependence. Furthermore, data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH) indicated that pre-loading may pose an additional risk of harm to young women, particularly those who frequently binge drink.
It also critical that licensees understand how to manage alcohol related harm in their venue, such as training their staff on how to spot signs of “loading up” or patrons walking in already intoxicated. Once a patron is served an alcoholic beverage, their behaviour becomes the responsibility of a venue’s licensee, regardless of how many drinks the patron may have had outside their establishment. A licensee in NSW can be fined up to $11,000 if their staff supply alcohol to an intoxicated person.
CTA Training Specialists now provides NSW Licensee Training (LT) and NSW Advanced Licensee Training (ALT) which ensures licensees, approved managers, and Club secretaries have the necessary skills and resources to manage alcohol-related harm in their venue. No need to learn the hard way with CTA. Our licensee courses are delivered virtually by highly experienced trainers, saving time, and giving attendees the flexibility to dial in when it is most convenient for them.
Click here to find out more about the regular licensee course options from CTA Training Specialists.
