Challenge 25: What does it mean for you?
The new law :‘Challenge 25’
From 1 October this year (2011), all premises selling alcohol (with the exception of remote sale premises) must have an age verification policy in place. This policy states that if a person seeking to buy alcohol looks under the age of 25, then the person selling that alcohol must, by law, ask that person for ID. The only types of ID that are acceptable in law are: a passport; EU photo driving licence or a card issued under the UK PASS scheme.
A new mandatory condition of your licence!
This new policy will be a new mandatory condition that will attach to your premises (or occasional) licence. Breach of this condition can lead to a review of your licence with the ultimate sanction being losing your licence. And selling alcohol to a person under 18 can lead to a fine of up to £5,000, up to 3 months in jail. Or both.
No ID?
Quite simply, no ID = no sale. Remember, it does not matter if the customer looks about 21 years old and the seller knows this. If the customer looks under the age of 25, they must be asked for ID.
What you should do
Act now and prepare. The policy need not be in writing but we recommend that it is.
Ensure signage is in place informing customers of the policy. This will also be a very important part of a due diligence defence should you fail a test purchase.
Ensure that all staff are trained in the new law. Verbal training is not enough. Incorporate the new law and consequences of breach in training records and ensure that all staff sign to the effect that they have received this new training. Again, this is very important in building a due diligence defence in relation to under age sales.
Need help or advice?
Our licensing solicitor, Caroline Treanor, who is a former solicitor to a city Licensing Board, is here to help with any queries you may have or advice that you may need.
Contact Caroline
Remember: It’s not worth losing your licence over … so act now and prepare.