Birthday wine voucher from Pizza express not valid in Scotland

JVM

I was delighted to receive a birthday voucher for a free bottle of Prosecco from Pizza express. But disappointed that the small print says that I can only get soft drinks because I am in Scotland
The voucher T&Cs say......

"Valid when two or more people order two or more full-priced main courses, to eat in until 16th February 2014. The Piccolo Menu is not
a main course. Substitute Prosecco for Pinot Grigio, Pinot Grigio Blush, Nero d'Avola Syrah, or a soft drink each for up to six people if
preferred. If your party is less than 6, you may have up to six soft drinks between you. Due to strict licensing laws, our Scottish restaurants can only offer the complimentary soft drink option."

Is this correct? Are Pizza express being over cautious? Does it make a difference that this is a voucher rather than a restaurant in-house offer?
I have been to other restaurants in Scotland offering free bottle of wine with a meal.

zax47

Blame the draconian booze laws in Scotland - drinks promotions not allowed and this is "giving away" booze. It's not Pizza Express's fault but that idiot Salmond and his cronies...

peachyprice

It's the law in Scotland, they are not allowed to have any promotions, competitions, free gifts etc., involving alcohol. Nothing to do with Pizza Express whatsoever.

WTFH

Or maybe P.E. are just getting ready for after the independence vote when they have to reprice all the Scottish things in their new currency.

JVM

Thanks all but it sounds like you haven't experienced this problem. I was just wondering why other restaurants (eg Eating Inn, Wetherspoons) and supermarkets (Tesco and M&S) in Scotland manage to offer free bottle of wine or other drinks with meals but PE cant. It suggested to me that it isn't really the Scots law. maybe some odd quirk with this particular promotion.

..and yes I did google the question first but came to the forum when I couldn't find an answer.

marliepanda

There are two MnS offers (used to work there!) one is meal and wine for £10, and one is free wine when you buy the food. Thy usually alternate them each weekend. Do they run the 'free wine' one in Scotland, or just the £10 one?

The free wine one is fairly new (2 years or so)

janiebquick

It's not valid with any other vouchers either. So I was unable to use it last night with my carefully and lovingly collected Tesco vouchers.

Bit annoyed

gunsandbanjos

JVM wrote: »

Thanks all but it sounds like you haven't experienced this problem. I was just wondering why other restaurants (eg Eating Inn, Wetherspoons) and supermarkets (Tesco and M&S) in Scotland manage to offer free bottle of wine or other drinks with meals but PE cant. It suggested to me that it isn't really the Scots law. maybe some odd quirk with this particular promotion.

It is Scottish law, how the others get round it I'm not sure.

I used to work in hospitality for a restaurant which has sites all over the uk, our Scottish promotions absolutely couldn't include alcohol, we had to have separate ones to the rest of the uk.

wellused

Salmonds version of sharia law.

007stuart

It's the retailers decision how to market promotions. Read the terms and conditions before buying.

JVM

Yes, I Noticed too that the PE free wine voucher cant be used in combination with tesco vouchers but I guess that is quite common with voucher offers.
For the M&S deals both the £10 dine for 2 including wine and the recent chinese meal deal with free wine were available in Scotland.

Maybe this is just a ploy to promote Irn Bru sales in Scotland...after Canada apparently threatened to ban it ;-)