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Why can’t U18’s serve alcohol in bars and supermarkets without an adult overseeing?

(11 Posts)
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25Avalon Mon 06-Sept-21 09:21:49

I was just wondering this. If you buy alcohol in the supermarket and the till assistant is under 18, they have to call a supervisor over before they can put it through. Since it’s all sealed and priced on the till and the supervisor gives a quick nod what is the point?
Similarly they cannot serve behind a bar at 16 or 17 unless an over18 is ‘supervising although they are allowed at that age to consume alcohol if their parents are with them. There is a shortage of bar staff and it would make life easier for the landlord and allow the young person to earn some money. I have seen plenty of more than competent U18’s working bars with the supervisor lounging in the corner. Pubs are probably a bit different from supermarkets I suppose in that you could get a rowdy element in the evening where you may need someone with more authority but during the day?

I was just pondering on it and thought it’s something a bit different to ask.

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Katie59 Mon 06-Sept-21 10:05:56

Because that’s what the licensing laws say no other reason, same applies in supermarkets for booze and cigarettes as well as a few other specified items.

The law may be an ass but I wouldn’t want children in charge of a bar.

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Blossoming Mon 06-Sept-21 10:06:34

This article from Drinkaware explains the laws around children and alcohol. Personally I don’t think it would be a good idea. Children and alcohol are not a good mix, and under 18s are still children.

www.drinkaware.co.uk/facts/alcohol-and-the-law/the-law-on-alcohol-and-under-18s

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eazybee Mon 06-Sept-21 10:07:10

One reason being that they would serve it to their mates, also underage, as happened for a time in our local supermarket before Tesco's took it over.
Underage teenagers would try and bully their underage friends to serve them, appealing to the other assistants that they were over eighteen. One girl was insisting that she was over eighteen until she turned round and saw me; as she had been in my year 6 class, aged 11 four years previously, it didn't work.
Incidentally. many of these teenagers were brandishing money given by their parents 'to go out and don't come back until after 10 o'clock, so we can have some peace.'
No doubt the teenagers exploited by rich and powerful men.

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Katie59 Mon 06-Sept-21 10:17:33

“ they are allowed at that age to consume alcohol if their parents are with them. ”

Incorrect

18 yr rule only applies to a “Bar”
At 16 you can buy alcohol in a restaurant with a meal.
The is no minimum drinking age - giving alcohol to a young child is an abuse crime not licensing.
So a 16 yr old can buy his 12 yr old girlfriend (or boyfriend) alchohol in a restaurant legally.

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Katie59 Mon 06-Sept-21 10:19:28

Bar or Off License which supermarkets are

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Katie59 Mon 06-Sept-21 10:30:16

The law changed since my licensing days an adult needs to be present, ie someone over 18.

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Blossoming Mon 06-Sept-21 10:42:28

At 16 you can buy alcohol in a restaurant with a meal.

So a 16 yr old can buy his 12 yr old girlfriend (or boyfriend) alchohol in a restaurant legally.

Both of those statements are wrong.

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Blossoming Mon 06-Sept-21 10:44:04

The horse’s mouth:-

www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

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Silverbridge Mon 06-Sept-21 10:45:56

This:

www.gov.uk/alcohol-young-people-law

... if you’re 16 or 17 and accompanied by an adult, you can drink (but not buy) beer, wine or cider with a meal.

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Silverbridge Mon 06-Sept-21 10:47:00

You pipped me at the post Blossoming.

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