LEADING licensed trade figures in Glasgow have united against the cheap booze offers which can encourage binge drinking and fuel street violence.

LEADING licensed trade figures in Glasgow have united against the cheap booze offers which can encourage binge drinking and fuel street violence.

Owners of some of Glasgow's best-known pubs and clubs have joined the Scottish Licensed Trade Association and the city licensing board to urge and end to "irresponsible" pricing.

Eddie Tobin, head of trade body the Glasgow Nightclub Forum, where potential solutions will be discussed, said Glasgow risks becoming a "city of drunks" unless venues are willing to self-regulate.

Those backing the idea include James Mortimer, whose Lynnet Leisure firm runs One Up and 29 in Royal Exchange Square.

He says the Executive should consider giving local licensing boards powers to impose minimum drinks prices.

Mr Mortimer said: "You get lads drinking spirits for 60p. They'll have 14 drinks and end up drunk and fighting.

"This is a city bidding to host the Commonwealth Games, and we have to get rid of this image."

Others backing the idea are Donald Macleod, boss of CPL, which runs the Garage, Cathouse, and Stavka; and Campus and Blanket owner Carlo Citti.

Mr Tobin said: "Glasgow risks losing its fabulous reputation as one of the best nights out in Britain due to irresponsible pricing fuelling binge drinking and dragging the city down."

Chief executive of the SLTA, Paul Waterson, wants operators to stop irresponsible pricing, but says they are forced to do so because licensing board granted too many licences.

Licensing board chief Gordon Macdiarmid said on citye nightclub "volunteered" to up prices after concerns were raised about spirits being sold for 80p.

He said: "My message is simple - self-regulation is very often a better option than having restrictions imposed."