Can you believe this????

[Andy284]

Booze baron to make packet from alcohol rehab centre
Jan 13 2013 by Keir Mudie, The People

A BOOZE baron is set to cream off thousands of pounds of ­public money as landlord of an treatment unit for ALCOHOLICS.

Harold Foster runs a ­wholesale ­drinks firm AND a hotel which is to be ­converted into the 24-bed centre.

Now he stands to benefit from £1.9million of aid provided to help problem drinkers.

Councillor Frank Doran, ex Lord Mayor of Liverpool, said of the move: “This ­really is like putting Dracula in charge of the blood bank.

“If the planning committee had known about his ­involvement I doubt ­approval would have been ­granted. It cannot be right for a man who peddles ­alcohol to ­benefit from the publicly funded treatment of ­alcoholics.” The scheme to turn the hotel in Liverpool into a ­“holistic ­treatment” centre is backed by the NHS, police and the council.

Foster, 45, runs drinks wholesaler Absolute Trading Ltd, which supplies pubs and clubs from an industrial unit in Aintree. A Sunday People probe found he is also director of W Tell Properties Ltd, which owns the hotel where the centre will be based.

Patients at similar rehabilitation units are charged up to £1,500 per week for treatment with taxpayers often footing the bill. As landlord Foster would net a significant rental income. A planning meeting that agreed the scheme did not know of Foster’s link to W Tell. There is no suggestion he misled authorities.

Liverpool City Council said: “We take into account the planning issues ­involved, not the ownership of the premises. Its use will be monitored.”

The people magazine - 2013

[Harry78]

Well, if they are all stupid enough to let him get away with it, fair play to him.

[sue12]

Madness. What a bunch of tossers!!!!!

[Mr Rehab]

Good luck to the man. Chancer!!!!!

[Roger C]

I think it is wrong, but fair play to the guy.