Bargain Booze Sells to Underage Children

[quikshop]

When I was a teenager our group were always looking for ways to get the stuff we shouldn't, alcohol, ciggies etc.

Had I known all we had to do was pop into the nearest Bargain Booze and ask it would have saved a lot of time

Would be great to hear from someone at Bargain Booze. Is it a deliberate policy to sell alcohol and tobacco to children, or just a 'localised' issue??

 

[Olly Culverhouse]

I can't see how its a deliberate policy of Bargain Booze.

When I was at Uni a 4 years ago we had a Bargin Booze opposite our house which was quite strict with asking for ID for its customers.

 

[colin_mckellar]

One day the seller of alcohol to kiddies will find themselves in serious trouble with the Police. It is illegal to sell alcohol to under 18's so eventually word will get back to the authorities and action will commence.

It usually ends up with someone being charged by the Police and the premises losing its licence.

 

[Faevilangel]

it won't be "company policy" but down to the individual assistant who isn't checking id's thoroughly.

 

[David Earle]

Personally I blame their parents!

 

[david8765]

You need to blame the person who holds the licence rather than the company. Its really hard to prosecute someone for selling alcohol to anyone underage. They need to have evidence the person selling knew they were breaking the law.

 

[Gord]

I would be surprised if every area of the country didn't have a shop somewhere selling alcohol to underage kids.
Every Tom Dick & Harry can get a license to sell alcolhol, and they do because it is profitable, and the penalty for being caught red-handed ? £80 fixed fine.
Frankly, I don't want the police to be spending their time, and my money, setting up multiple sting operations for corner shops which result in a ticking off.
Better to limit the licences and automatically revoke if and when it is deemed necessary for a 'sting' to be performed.
You lose the license, the premises does not get it back unless it changes owners, end of.

 

[sellickbhoy]

so, whats the OP's problem - the fact that kids today can get the stuff he couldn't? are you just a killjoy preaching the "do as I say, not as I do" mantra

I would hazard a guess there is more behind your original post than just some kids on your town getting sold some drink - so lets hear your real gripe with the shop in question (and it probably is this specific shop and not the chain)

hmmm, could be a nimby issue as well.

i'll give it some thought.

but, do you really think this is the ONLY place selling drink which makes its way to underage drinkers?

 

[quikshop]

so, whats the OP's problem - the fact that kids today can get the stuff he couldn't? are you just a killjoy preaching the "do as I say, not as I do" mantra

Oh dear, not too sharp on leading statements are we

Its illegal for a reason. Bargain Booze sell to underage kids. Because it also happens elsewhere it doesn't make the actions of Bargain Booze right.

Bargain Booze would be well advised to 'nip this in the bud' as quickly as possible, no pun intended.

 

[sellickbhoy]

I know it's illegal, I am not saying it is right, but why have you singled out this one shop? and why now? have you reported the shop you used to get your drink from as a kid to the police realising your actions were wrong?

as i said earlier - theres more to this story and you picking that one shop.

 

[maxh]

Last I checked it carries a personal £2000 fine to the employee that sells the booze, immediate dismissal and possibly a revocation of the premises licence to sell booze!

A risky game...

 

[quikshop]

have you reported the shop you used to get your drink from as a kid to the police realising your actions were wrong?

Ok, not wanting to mock the afflicted but I'll try and make this as simple as possible for you but for this time only, I'm not going to start adding footnotes to my posts so you can keep up.

I never bought or even tried to buy alcohol from a shop as a kid, my first sentence was a tongue-in-cheek statement used to draw focus on a serious issue, that of Bargain Booze selling to underage kids.

Up to speed? Still struggling?

 

[estwig]

How much of a bargain??

Could I send one of my 'underage children' to get me a four pack of Stella, or would I have to go myself, disguised as an 'underage child'??

 

[sellickbhoy]

Ok, not wanting to mock the afflicted but I'll try and make this as simple as possible for you but for this time only, I'm not going to start adding footnotes to my posts so you can keep up.

I never bought or even tried to buy alcohol from a shop as a kid, my first sentence was a tongue-in-cheek statement used to draw focus on a serious issue, that of Bargain Booze selling to underage kids.

Up to speed? Still struggling?

Ah ok, your sarcasm doesn't come across well

so why the crusade against this one shop then? not the countless others that have been doing it since you were a lad (though of course, you were probably oblivious to it then being a sweet wee cherub eh?)

 

[Barnie]

to draw focus on a serious issue, that of Bargain Booze selling to underage kids.

Up to speed? Still struggling?

so does spar, so does tesco, so does asda, so does 100's of independents around the UK

you cant tarnish all bargain booze stores, they are franchises so its not much different to an independent.


i could never buy booze underage, i looked about 10 when i was about 20m, but in a group 1 always looked older than 18 and had fake ID.

this was 15 years ago am i ashamed of it, hell no, it was fun, part of my youth, my parents were doing it 40 years ago and i expect kids will do the same (although i will go mad with them the same as my parents did with me and the same as my grandparents did with my dad), i was still well behaved when drinking and never caused any trouble.

now i am nearly T total

 

[quikshop]

now i am nearly T total

Now you are showing your age

If Tesco, Asda or any other retailer had done it to my knowledge I'd be taking issue with them. They haven't, Bargain Booze has on multiple occasions.

Its interesting to read a lot of comments basically saying well it goes on so just accept it. I suspect that until you are in a position where it actually matters then that's the default position.

And yes, Bargain Booze is a franchise business model but they are ultimately responsible for those trading under their brand name. I'll let you know what they say if anything.

 

[Faevilangel]

Now you are showing your age

If Tesco, Asda or any other retailer had done it to my knowledge I'd be taking issue with them. They haven't, Bargain Booze has on multiple occasions.

Its interesting to read a lot of comments basically saying well it goes on so just accept it. I suspect that until you are in a position where it actually matters then that's the default position.

And yes, Bargain Booze is a franchise business model but they are ultimately responsible for those trading under their brand name. I'll let you know what they say if anything.

Can you prove that they are told to sell to underage persons? If not then you are opening a can of worms for this site.

As said above, it happens everywhere and not just in Bargain Booze... One Tesco store in Blackpool lost their license because of constant selling to underage persons.

I work for Tesco and it's a huge cat and mouse game on who is / isn't old enough. I haven't personally been caught but know people that have. We are told to ask for ID anyone we are not sure of, we have to be 100% sure they are old enough. I have asked 40 year old women for ID.

I have been punched, spat at and had so many verbal threats it's funny. I love the summer holidays.

Whatever happens, kids will always attempt to buy alcohol or get someone else to get it. It's a matter for the local councils to come down on offenders and to get the message across that any store will be prosecuted fully.

Another option is to target the parents, get them to educate the kids, but as a lot of parents would have done it, it's not likely to be a success IMO.

Why not start talking to local councils on the issue? Let them know your concerns and they will (hopefully) go and give the owner a few words of advice.

 

[Naughty Vend]

OP, what's your source to found such an accusation... something in the press we've missed or...? Just that you say this is not a personal target / crusade for you and thus I can't understand why you reference this one company...

 

[Eagle]

Bargain Booze sell to underage kids.

Sounds like a potentially libellous statement to me.

Bargain Booze would be well advised to 'nip this in the bud' as quickly as possible.

I'm sure they will if they get wind of it.

 

[familydayout]

It wont be a deliberate ploy by the organisation, so definately down to individual shops/areas. It is a disgrace how 13-14 year olds can easily purchase booze these days.

 

[papverpoppies]

I hope it does get nipped in the bud, not because I am a 'killjoy' but because so many young lives, along with people in the 'wrong place wrong time' have lost their lives through young kids, booze and speeding cars.

We have a terrible death rate (most rural areas do) in respect of road traffic fatalities, stolen cars and booze.

As my ex had to attend mopping up the pieces, I think it is irresponsible to sell to kids, and to also condone it.

Poppy xx

 

[dingbat]

IME it's far harder for kids to buy booze these days. Many kids will get an adult to buy it for them.

If I was working at a store, in particular a small store where I had the option of being extra stringent or getting my windows or my head caved in every week or booze shoplifted, I might be tempted to be more lax about asking questions.

Up to the police and parents/guardians to also do something about it. Cos you can bet when shops get smashed up by kids or staff assaulted aint no police gonna turn up then, certainly not in London.

 

[Eagle]

Just make it 15 years in prison and/or a £250,000 fine for selling to a minor.

Law enforcement. Simples.

Or, microchip people at birth so they can prove their age/ID without question.