‘Inaccurate’ - Birmingham German Christmas Market bosses hit back at ‘new one beer per person rule’

Birmingham’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market is back with a bang - with its food and gift stalls and bars - and not forgetting the singing moose - ready and waiting to bring you bratwurst, beer and more.

And if you’re looking to buy a round - you’re in luck! As rumours that a ‘one beer per person rule’ was in place are, apparently, inaccurate - according to the city council.

It was reported last week that a ‘new’ sign had appeared on some German Market stalls saying it is ‘one drink per person’. However, when asked by Express & Star, a spokeswoman for the city council said the information was not correct or new.

She explained that staff, quite simply, need to be able to see who the drinks are going to as part of the Challenge 25 legislation.” The spokeswoman said: "There has been some inaccurate reporting on this issue unfortunately. There is nothing new here at all, it is about ensuring people who are underage can’t get alcoholic drinks via other people.

"So the ‘one drink per person’ rule is not new. The market has been implementing this rule in conjunction with Challenge 25 for around ten years.

"It has been reported that the market will be ‘insisting on proof the customer is over 25’. This is incorrect. Challenge 25 is run in bars and clubs all over England. This is absolutely standard practice in the hospitality industry.

“The rule is that if someone looks under 25 then they will be asked for proof that they are over 18. That is no different from any other licensed premises. This is to ensure that alcohol is not sold to under 18s.

"One drink per person works in a very simple way. Staff quite simply need to be able to see who the drinks are going to. Hope that clarifies things – in short, nothing different this year to previous years."

A market stall holder explained the rule to BirminghamWorld, saying: “Visitors are welcome to buy a round of drinks as long as the other people you are buying for are with you at the stall, so that they can adhere to the standard Challenge 25 rules.”

The German Christmas Market is officially being opened by the Lord Mayor this evening (Thurday, November 2) and will be in Victoria Square and around Birmingham city centre until Christmas Eve (Sunday, December 24).