Underage alcohol sales could cost retailers their liquor licence

Beer

Four shops are being investigated by Rochdale Borough Council for selling alcohol to minors.

Ahead of the festive season, the council’s trading standards officers carried out test purchasing exercises on 13 and 15 December 2010 using underage volunteers in 14 premises across the borough.

The operation took place to make sure that retailers were not compromising the law by cashing in on the Christmas alcohol sales. 

Only four retailers were caught selling alcohol illegally and irresponsibly to persons under 18 years old. Two shops were in Middleton and the other two were in Rochdale.

The volunteers managed to purchase a 6 pack of Stella Artois, 6 bottles of Becks, a 4 pack of Cobra and 2 bottles of Lindeboom beer. 
 
Eleven stores were visited in Middleton and two illegal sales took place.

Two premises were visited in Rochdale and two illegal sales were made.

One shop was visited in the Pennines Township and no illegal sales were made.

Andy Glover, Public Protection Manager for Rochdale Borough Council said: “Retailers have an obligation, to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage drinkers.

“The exercises carried out this month have generally been positive. It’s pleasing to find that only a very small minority of retailers are failing to ask for adequate identification when selling alcohol. Our residents should feel reassured that the majority of shops are demonstrating that they’re responsible retailers.

“However, the four premises that illegally sold alcohol to minors will now be investigated by the council and they could lose their alcohol licences. We’re urging shops to act responsibly and ask for proof of age for the sale of all age-restricted products if they suspect a customer of being under 21. Remember No ID, No sale!”

All underage sales surveys are carried out in accordance with strict guidelines which make sure that the young person involved is protected at all times and also to be as fair as possible to the trader.

These recent test purchases have shown that three of the businesses visited have not had adequate procedures in place to prevent children from obtaining alcohol.

The council will be considering all options available to them to decide what appropriate action will be taken against the three premises. 

This could include the retailers receiving a caution, prosecution or a having to appear at a Licence Review.  The maximum penalty upon conviction of selling alcohol to a minor is a £5,000 fine.

Terry Linden, cabinet member responsible for enforcement and regulation at Rochdale Borough Council, added: “The four sales have demonstrated that some traders are still failing to take simple steps necessary to avoid sales to minors. The council will always seek to crackdown on and punish those retailers who are found selling alcohol irresponsibly and help us to deal with some of the root causes of anti-social behaviour which is often associated with underage drinking.”