Gala offering cans in exchange for plastic cup credit notes
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Gala offering cans in exchange for plastic cup credit notes
Words: Shamim de Brún
Sam’s Gala Dunmanway has found a way around MUP; credit notes. The West Cork-based corner shop is offering customers twenty-four plastic glasses for thirty euros. In return, they will receive a credit note to the value of forty-seven euros and thirty-four cents, or the legal minimum for a slab of cans. This credit note can be redeemed in accordance with strict terms and conditions; against a slab of cans, a hoover or a mop.
While vouchers and loyalty schemes are prohibited under the Public Health Alcohol Act there is no mention of credit notes. Anecdotal evidence from working in retail would suggest that managers can give credit notes out just to keep customers happy. According to Revenue “a shop may give you a credit note as a goodwill gesture“. Customers do not have to accept credit notes. If they want to return their twenty-four plastic glasses they are legally entitled to their money back.
Alcohol laws are notoriously fussy to pass. So if this workaround pans out it could be with us well into 2022.
On Tuesday night, the shop’s Facebook post was seen by 168,000 people. Owner Colm O’Sullivan has received a massive reaction from people in the wake of the new Minimum Unit Pricing laws which sent beer and cider prices soaring.
The drive from Dublin to West Cork is about three hundred kilometres. So depending on the car will cost about seventy quid in petrol. That said if you’re stocking up it could be worth it.
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