Responsible retailers sign up to scheme

Rochdale's responsible retailers with the Mayor of Rochdale, Councillor Zulfiqar Ali

Retailers across the borough are making a commitment to responsible trading by joining Rochdale Borough Council’s Responsible Retailer Scheme.

In a bid to be the latest responsible retailers, 60 shops have pledged to the council’s trading standards team that they’ll assist in helping to curb youngsters access to age restricted products.

The scheme aims to protect local traders from falling foul of the law by providing help, support and advice on important trading legislation concerning the responsible sale of alcohol, cigarettes and knives and the consequences of selling these products to minors.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager at Rochdale Borough Council, whose team are running the scheme, said: “I’m pleased to see so many traders signing up. In doing so, traders are accepting their social responsibilities by helping to reduce under aged sales of alcohol and knives, which are often associated with anti-social behaviour in the community.”

Traders in Rochdale who have signed up to the scheme will be presented with certificates from the mayor at the launch event, held at Rochdale’s Town Hall on 24 November 2010. As members of the scheme, these traders are subject to routine undercover surveys carried out by the council’s trading standards team with help from unpaid, underage volunteers. Such test purchase exercises ensure compliance with Government legislation and that all trading on their premises is carried out in line with the law.

Dale Mulgrew, cabinet member for community safety at Rochdale Borough Council said: “Traders’ commitment to this scheme is vital in protecting the health and safety of our borough’s young people and I hope that many more of the town’s retailers will sign up to the scheme in the future.”