Co-op store has rigorous procedures to monitor sale of age-restricted products

May 29 2008

The Letter of the Week in the Advertiser of May 15 entitled `The sun’s out... and so too are the boozy youngsters’ refers to youngsters drinking on the streets of Stonehouse from bags from a `well known, caring-for-the-world shop’.

As the manager of The Scottish Co-operative food store in Stonehouse, I must take issue with the letter which implies that my staff are guilty of selling alcohol to teenagers under the age of 18.

The Co-operative Group take the issue of age-restricted sales extremely seriously and have extensive in-store procedures and systems to prevent under-age sales.

As a responsible retailer, we provide instructions, training and guidance for all store staff on the sale of age-restricted products. Our instructions to staff clearly state that any potential purchaser of age-restricted products who appears to be under the age of 21 years should be asked to provide proof that they are aged 18 or over.

If none can be provided, then the sale must be refused.

What is outwith my control is adults choosing to buy alcohol for a person who is under age, although if Co-operative staff suspect this is the case the sale can and will be refused.

Scott Barnes, store manager,

The Scottish Co-operative food store,

Stonehouse.