Scotland is set to become the first country in the world with a minimum price for alcohol sales after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) and other drinks manufacturers, who argued that the policy was “disproportionate” and illegal under European law.

It brings to a close a five-year legal battle over the Scottish Government’s plan to introduce a 50p minimum unit price for alcohol, in a bid to curb harmful drinking of cheap, super strong alcohol.

Lord Mance said “The 2012 Act does not breach EU law. Minimum pricing is a legitimate means of achieving a legitimate aim.”

SWA and spiritsEUROPE and Comité Européen des Entreprises Vins had argued that the policy would fall foul of EU trade laws and its objectives could be achieved by an excise duty or tax increase.

But the Supreme Court said EU law makes provisions for law which “protects human life and health”.

The proposal of a 50p per unit charge means four 440ml cans of five per cent strength lager would cost at least £4.40, a 12 per cent bottle of wine would be at least £4.50 and a 70cl bottle of whisky must cost at least £14.

David Cameron’s coalition government scrapped plans for an English minimum pricing plan in 2013, but health leaders said Wednesday’s judgment should be cause to restart action.

The Platt Brothers were a textile machinery company founded in 1770 by Henry Platt.

The company based in Werneth, Oldham became the largest textile machinery manufacturer in the world, and by the end of the 19th century, it was employing more than 12,000 workers.

Henry Platt was a blacksmith who was manufacturing carding equipment in 1770. His grandson, also called Henry, founded a similar business in Uppermill.

In 1920, Henry formed a partnership with Elijah Hibbert (Hibbert and Platt) and moved to Huddersfield Road. The company was later renamed to Hibbert Platt and Sons when his sons Joseph and John joined the company.

When Henry Platt died in 1842 and Elijah Hibbert in 1854, all the shares went to the Platt family and the company became Platt Brothers & Company.

They moved their headquarters from the ‘Old Works’ to the ‘New Works’ in 1868. In 1872 the company employed 7,000 men and had become the World’s Largest Textile Machinery Manufacturer. It was estimated by 1890 that the Works supported almost half of Oldham’s population.

The company began producing munitions during World War I and resumed textile machinery manufacturing afterwards.

In 1929 the Platt Brothers paid £100,000 for the patent rights for an innovative automatic weaving loom designed by Sakichi Toyoda. Toyoda was the founder of the Toyota company, and the money from the sale of the rights provided the start-up capital for the Toyota automobile endeavour. Toyota would later become, one of the world’s largest car manufacturers.

After a slow decline in the cotton industry, the company closed its factory in 1982.

Wrigley Claydon Solicitors were proud to act on behalf of the Platt Brothers for various forms over many years.

Sources:

Platt Collection National Archives
1867-1929 – History of Toyota Industries