Licensing Law - Protection of Children
The sale of alcohol to persons under the age of 18 is strictly governed by law and is the responsibility of the personal licence holder and all persons employed at the premises.
IT IS IMPOARTANT TO BE AWARE THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS FOR PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL.
16 or 17 year olds are allowed to drink beer, wine or cider with a table meal provided that an adult purchases the drink. An adult must also accompany the 16/17 year at the table. Bar snacks do not count as a meal.
If you do intend to allow children in your pub then this should be detailed in your operating schedule along with the precautions in place. i.e. should be prohibited from being in the bar area or must leave by a certain time.
It is illegal for children under the age of 16 not accompanied by adult to be on a premise that is:
- Exclusively used for the sale of alcohol
- Between the hours of midnight and 5am in the morning where the premises are licensed for the consumption of alcohol on the premises.
There are now fixed penalties in place and should the following offences occur on a licensed premises they will be issued:
- Obtaining alcohol for a person under 18
- Sale of alcohol to a person under 18
- Consumption of alcohol by a person under 18
- Allowing consumption of alcohol by a person under 18
- Delivery of alcohol to a person under 18
- Allowing delivery of alcohol to a person under 18
The majority of the above offences attract a fine of up to £5000 (unless the person is under 18 then the fine is reduced; under £1000)
The licensee can also expect for his premises licence to go under review.
There are a number of defences that can be used, as long as all necessary precautions have been carried out, asking for photographic ID etc. It is always advised that where an individual cannot produce ID and there is doubt then simply to refuse the sale. A large amount of premises have introduced a ‘look 21/25’ policy which states that anyone who appears to look under this age will be asked for ID.
Finished? Try some sample test questions here. (Answers can be found in the download section)
Continue to Social Responsibilities