Resources - alcohol

Everyone involved in sales from off licensed premises should be aware of their obligations under the Licensing Act 2003 relating to the prevention of sales of alcohol to children.

It is essential that you keep within the law and have systems in pace that act as a legal defence to an individual who is under 18 you could be prosecuted and fined, and your licence to sell alcohol could be at risk.

Retail poster

Check 25 – When selling an age-restricted product you should carry out age verification checks on anyone who looks younger than 25. Display this poster in your premise

Retailer tools

Age certification checks – verify the age of potential buyers by asking to see an identity card that bears the PASS hologram (the Proof of Age Standards Scheme (PASS) is the UK's national proof-of-age accreditation scheme supported by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI).

Keep & maintain a refusals register – This means keeping a record (date, time, incident, description of potential buyer) where sales of age-restricted products have been refused. This helps to demonstrate that you actively refuse sales and have an effective system in place

Store layout, signage & CCTV – Keep your age-restricted products where they can be monitored by staff. Ensure you have adequate signs to inform customers of the minimum legal age to purchase. You are legally required to display notices for tobacco and fireworks.

Retailer training