A “GENTLEMEN’S agreement” will see the end of all-you-can-drink deals in Colchester.

Pub and club owners have also agreed a minimum price of £1.50 for drinks after a meeting with police and council licensing chiefs.

The town’s police officers were determined to stamp out a loophole which meant pubs and clubs were still offering all-inclusive deals if they specified a maximum number of drinks included.

A meeting has resulted in licensees agreeing to sell no drink for less than £1.50.

For example, if a pint of lager costs £3, the premises could offer a “buy one get one free” deal, where each drink would cost no less than £1.50.

Damien Stone, from Escape nightclub in Copford, welcomed the move, but said supermarkets needed to be the next focus.

Mr Stone, whose club had been running an all-inclusive deal, said: “The best way to describe it is as a gentlemen’s agreement.

“We cannot decide among us what prices to charge, but we have agreed we will not drop below a minimum.

“We are all on the same playing field now, and the clubs will have to stand on their own two feet as reputable licensees.

“The financial climate out there is very hard and everyone has been forced into these all-inclusive deals to get people into our venues.

“Supermarkets now need to be the next focus, because it is grossly unfair that it is just the night-time economy which has been dealt with. You can buy a bottle of wine for less than a bottle of water and something needs to be done.”

Insp Paul Butcher said: “When on patrol last weekend, I was very disappointed to find many venues had ignored the change in legislation.

“There appeared to be some confusion about the application of the new law – this is now not the case.

“The pubs and clubs now know where they stand and what they can expect if they break the law.”

Simon Harvey, Colchester Council’s licensing manager, added: “The opportunity was taken to consult with the trade, who are no in doubt about what is expected and are fully informed and co-operating with the authorities.”