Title – Underage alcohol sales rising
Source – London Lite
Date – 22nd November 2007
With headlines like this it is not surprising that the licensed retail sector can expect further legislation in the near future as the subject of alcohol sales climbs further and further up the political agenda.
Statistics are however easily manipulated and without quantifying the source it is reasonable to suggest that the figure of 26.8% of licensed retailers selling to underage drinkers does not represent a cross section of the licensed retail trade, but rather a selected number of outlets targeted by Trading Standards. The very fact that trading standards carried out the test purchase is very often as a result of intelligence received and targets retailers who have a history or where there is intelligence indicating the selling of alcohol irresponsibly.
It is also a fair assumption to suggest that in regard to retailers who sell larger quantities of alcohol such as supermarkets, they were not fairly represented by these figures as their systems are far more robust and the amount of alcohol they sell is considerably larger then small independents, who tend to fall foul of these types of test purchasing schemes.
So although we can assume that within the entire licensed retail trade the figures are not as high as one in four flouting the law, if you work within the trade you should still take heed of this report and tighten up your own systems, before trading standards come to your outlet and test your staff.
The important aspect to note is that they are not testing you as an individuals they are testing your staff and your systems and the personal license holder needs to ensure that they have provided adequate training to all staff, to fulfil their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.
Source – London Lite
Date – 22nd November 2007
With headlines like this it is not surprising that the licensed retail sector can expect further legislation in the near future as the subject of alcohol sales climbs further and further up the political agenda.
Statistics are however easily manipulated and without quantifying the source it is reasonable to suggest that the figure of 26.8% of licensed retailers selling to underage drinkers does not represent a cross section of the licensed retail trade, but rather a selected number of outlets targeted by Trading Standards. The very fact that trading standards carried out the test purchase is very often as a result of intelligence received and targets retailers who have a history or where there is intelligence indicating the selling of alcohol irresponsibly.
It is also a fair assumption to suggest that in regard to retailers who sell larger quantities of alcohol such as supermarkets, they were not fairly represented by these figures as their systems are far more robust and the amount of alcohol they sell is considerably larger then small independents, who tend to fall foul of these types of test purchasing schemes.
So although we can assume that within the entire licensed retail trade the figures are not as high as one in four flouting the law, if you work within the trade you should still take heed of this report and tighten up your own systems, before trading standards come to your outlet and test your staff.
The important aspect to note is that they are not testing you as an individuals they are testing your staff and your systems and the personal license holder needs to ensure that they have provided adequate training to all staff, to fulfil their responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.
We provide a comprehensive portfolio of BIIAB accredited licensing retail sector courses including the Award in Responsible Alcohol Retailing (ARAR), National Certificate for Personal License Holders (NCPLH), National Certificate for Designated Premises Supervisors (NCDPS), National Licensees Certificate - Drugs Awareness (NCLDA), Professional Barpersons Qualification (PBQ) as well as the Award in Conflict Management (ACM). We can also help you with consultancy projects that can examine your business and help you become more profitable. We examine those systems in place that require change and strengthen those that may have slipped. Many managers end up being so close to their businesses that they simply can’t see the problems staring them in the face, we can all identify with that situation; but the brave ones ask for help to see them and realise the rewards.
Please visit our website at www.btbl.co.uk
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