Blackrose pubs' Facebook posts banned for encouraging excessive drinking

Three Facebook posts by pubs in the Blackrose group have been banned for promoting excessive drinking and suggesting alcohol could enhance confidence.

The messages posted in September and October this year in relation to the Priory, York, the Ship and Royal, South Shields, and the Britannia Inn, Sunderland, included messages such as: "Do you suffer from Shyness? Do you sometimes wish you were more assertive? Ask your bartender about our Fizz Friday Prosecco offer!"; "Hats off to everyone doing the going sober for October…..me I'm going on a bender till December" and "if at first you don't succeed, try drinking a bottle of prosecco, you'll be surprised at how much less you'll care".

The Advertising Standards Agency found the posts breached the code by implying alcohol could enhance confidence, encouraging excessive drinking and implying alcohol was capable of changing mood.

It banned the messages from being used again by the group.

Blackrose pub management company was launched by real estate investment company Aprirose earlier this year.