Traders from Pemberton and Norley Hall have shown how they are taking a responsible line about under aged alcohol sales.
Twenty off licence staff have had a full briefing from Wigan Council Trading Standards as part of the council’s responsible retailer scheme.
Chief Trading Standards Officer, Julie Middlehurst, said: “We have launched the Responsible Retailer Award Scheme to support off-licence premises in preventing sales of alcohol to young people.”
The free course, which was held at Wigan Town Hall, is part of the new Responsible Retailer Award Scheme being launched by Trading Standards. It’s designed to recognise off-licences who have adopted a series of measures and who have agreed to work with us and the police to prevent children from obtaining alcohol. Part of the scheme requires them to ensure all of their staff attend the free training.
The course explains the legal requirements of the Licensing Act and gives practical advice to staff on how to spot and challenge youngsters who are attempting to buy alcohol.
Once all staff have been through the training course and the off-licence is following certain procedures, they can then be awarded a certificate as a Responsible Retailer by Trading Standards.
Julie added: “This partnership will also create a closer relationship between retailers, the police and the council to help tackle the anti-social behaviour problems caused by young people who have consumed alcohol.”
Invitations to join the scheme will eventually be sent to every off-licence premises within the borough.
Julie continued, “We know that the vast majority of off-licences do not sell alcohol to young people, and this award scheme will recognise and reward their hard work and effort. It will also hopefully encourage more alcohol retailers to want to work to the same high standards and prevent alcohol getting into the hands of under 18s”.
