Free training to help businesses get the age right
Free training workshops are now available for Plymouth businesses that sell age restricted products and services.
The Council’s Public Protection Service is offering training to proprietors of corner shops, sunbed salons, newsagents, supermarkets, off-licences, public houses, amusement arcades and tattoo parlours – anyone who needs practical tips on how to prevent underage sales and to give their staff the confidence to challenge young people who look under 25.
Plymouth Community Safety Partnership is funding the training for businesses that sell alcohol, tobacco, DVDs, solvents, lottery tickets, fireworks or knives or who offer services which have age restrictions such as gambling, tattoos or sunbeds.
The interactive online training package aims to help them train their staff and to have in place clear systems to help prevent underage sales as well as protect them from possible prosecution.
It includes everything they need to comply with the law on age-restricted products including a training DVD, tests, refusals logs and posters. There is also an ‘Ask the Expert’ feature for any questions businesses may have.
It normally costs £30 a year but the Council is offering this free as well as free training for managers on how to use it. The Council can also provide extra coaching at the business for all staff for a small charge.
Councillor Brian Vincent, Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “There is so much to lose if you accidentally sell to a minor. You could use your licence and face considerable fines. I’m sure many of us struggle to tell how old someone looks and this guidance is invaluable to help businesses do the right thing.”
The Council is encouraging businesses to adopt the Challenge 25 system for all age-restricted products. Many businesses use it for successfully alcohol-related products but do not apply the same system when being asked to sell tobacco.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Co-operatives and Community Development, added: “This is not just about the businesses. Here in Plymouth we have too many young people who get into drink or smoking, for instance, at an early age and we need to focus on this more impressionable age group. The laws are there to protect them.”
Anyone interested should email underage-sales@plymouth.gov.uk or call 01752 304149. Training sessions can also be booked by visiting http://no-id-no-sale.eventbrite.co.uk
All the sessions will be held in the North Room in Plymouth Guildhall on:
* Tuesday 25 March 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm
* Tuesday 29 April 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm
* Tuesday 27 May 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm
