Independent retailers have broadly welcomed the government’s plan to introduce on-the-spot fines for under-age customers trying to buy alcohol. But they are worried about how the system will work in practice.
While 90% of independents in The Grocer’s Reader Panel survey welcomed the idea of on-the-spot fines, one Manchester retailer spoke for many when he said: “I don’t think fines are the complete answer even though I agree with them.”
Ten per cent felt on-the-spot fines for customers could cause more problems for retailers and only make matters worse.
One retailer in the north east said: “I don’t think this will help us as we’ll just get more abuse.”
Most were confused as to how these fines would be collected and others felt it should be the parents of under-age drinkers that should be held accountable.
Many cited the problems associated with over-18s buying alcohol for under-18s, which led to many children hanging around outside their shops.
They felt tackling this issue should be a priority.
But one of the biggest issues among the retailers was the lack of support from the authorities.
One retailer in Eccles said: “You don’t get any support from the police, the council or
anyone in authority on this particular issue.”
Some 67% felt that retailers or assistants selling alcohol to minors should also be liable to on-the-spot fines. A Nottingham shop owner said:“Retailers that sell alcohol to kids should be stopped as they make it harder for all of us.”
But some retailers felt it was often impossible to tell how old a customer was, especially among females.
Many had fallen victim to fake IDs. One owner of a shop in Bolton said:“You can get hoodwinked quite easily, especially in a busy shop.”
Some retailers felt that the licence holder should be fined, not shop assistants.
More than half of the retailers had suffered verbal abuse or threats in the past year - often from underage customers who had tried to buy alcohol or cigarettes. Many felt this was part of everyday life for retailers. More than 10% had been the victims of violence, including incidents with knives and guns.
Gail Hunt
While 90% of independents in The Grocer’s Reader Panel survey welcomed the idea of on-the-spot fines, one Manchester retailer spoke for many when he said: “I don’t think fines are the complete answer even though I agree with them.”
Ten per cent felt on-the-spot fines for customers could cause more problems for retailers and only make matters worse.
One retailer in the north east said: “I don’t think this will help us as we’ll just get more abuse.”
Most were confused as to how these fines would be collected and others felt it should be the parents of under-age drinkers that should be held accountable.
Many cited the problems associated with over-18s buying alcohol for under-18s, which led to many children hanging around outside their shops.
They felt tackling this issue should be a priority.
But one of the biggest issues among the retailers was the lack of support from the authorities.
One retailer in Eccles said: “You don’t get any support from the police, the council or
anyone in authority on this particular issue.”
Some 67% felt that retailers or assistants selling alcohol to minors should also be liable to on-the-spot fines. A Nottingham shop owner said:“Retailers that sell alcohol to kids should be stopped as they make it harder for all of us.”
But some retailers felt it was often impossible to tell how old a customer was, especially among females.
Many had fallen victim to fake IDs. One owner of a shop in Bolton said:“You can get hoodwinked quite easily, especially in a busy shop.”
Some retailers felt that the licence holder should be fined, not shop assistants.
More than half of the retailers had suffered verbal abuse or threats in the past year - often from underage customers who had tried to buy alcohol or cigarettes. Many felt this was part of everyday life for retailers. More than 10% had been the victims of violence, including incidents with knives and guns.
Gail Hunt
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