This was the reason Surrey Trading Standards gave for asking Tandridge District Council to add additional conditions to the Liquor licence held by Sainsbury's at Warlingham.
This followed a number of reports of children buying alcohol there, followed up by a Trading Standards 'sting' on the store when a volunteer under-age teenager was sent in to try to buy booze. The teenager was served.
We clearly need to protect our children from abusing alcohol, but reading the decision of the committee I was please to see the balance that was struck. Instead of taking away or suspending their licence the firm was forced to introduce a training programme to ensure staff know what to do - with proof required to be produced that the training has been completed. Hopefully this step will stop the under-aged sales without impacting on those who are old enough to buy it.
If local residents want to alert Surrey Trading Standards to any other shops that sell to children they can call 01372 371700
