Today's most viewed
People under 30 to be ID'd for alcohol
A CONVENIENCE store chain is clamping down on underage drinking by checking the ID of everyone who looks under 30.
Mills Group, who own shops in Monmouth, Caldicot and Chepstow, have introduced a 'Think 30' scheme in their stores.
Now everyone who comes into their stores will be checked for identification if they look younger than 30.
A store manager in one Gwent Mills store says the policy will make her life much easier.
Caroline Jones, manager of Mills in Bulwark, said: "I think it's a good thing and it makes my life much easier.
"It can be difficult to tell the difference between a 21 year old and someone who is underage. It's not always easy to tell these days.
"In the beginning some people were rude to us about it, but we make a joke of it with the customers with everyone who comes in.
"You do upset a few but you have to tell them this is our job."
She said the store, based in the Shopping Centre in Bulwark, does not have a problem with children trying to buy drink at the shop.
"We're part of the community here, we do know everybody. The trouble with kids seems to pass us by, but then we close at half past six."
People buying alcohol require driving licence, passport or official cards with a hologram.
Ms Jones said the firm was doing spot checks to ensure the policy is working.
She said: "Mills have been sending people in themselves at 18 year olds to make sure that the staff are asking."
The company also has stores in Monmouth and Caldicot.
7:10pm Thursday 8th May 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: evan.wilgosh, Newport on 7:37pm Thu 8 May 08
Is this a joke?
If not, then they may as well just ID everyone for any sale of alcohol regardless of how old they look. You never know, that old (looking) grey-haired man could actually be 16!!!
Is this a joke?
If not, then they may as well just ID everyone for any sale of alcohol regardless of how old they look. You never know, that old (looking) grey-haired man could actually be 16!!!
Posted by: tim, Magor on 8:24pm Thu 8 May 08
It wont stop people buying it for youngsters,but closing at 6:30 is a step in the right direction.
It wont stop people buying it for youngsters,but closing at 6:30 is a step in the right direction.
Posted by: Crooky, Newport on 10:34pm Thu 8 May 08
What a load of nonsense. This will achieve absolutely nothing.
Why not ban sales to over 55's in case they are buying for their grandchildren?
Complete over the top nonsense,!!!!!!
What a load of nonsense. This will achieve absolutely nothing.
Why not ban sales to over 55's in case they are buying for their grandchildren?
Complete over the top nonsense,!!!!!!
Posted by: philgwent, pengam on 7:10am Fri 9 May 08
Stop supermarkets selling cheap booze thats the problem. Put up the booze prices and then lower the food prices, Its food fammilies need not drink.
Stop supermarkets selling cheap booze thats the problem. Put up the booze prices and then lower the food prices, Its food fammilies need not drink.
Posted by: js, cardiff on 9:42am Fri 9 May 08
on the face on it this silly a silly idea to check anyone that looks under 30 however at least they are actively doing something about the problem rather than just idle words - well done thats what i say !!!!!
on the face on it this silly a silly idea to check anyone that looks under 30 however at least they are actively doing something about the problem rather than just idle words - well done thats what i say !!!!!
Posted by: goat, newport on 11:37am Fri 9 May 08
[quote][bold]philgwent[/bold] wrote:
Stop supermarkets selling cheap booze thats the problem. Put up the booze prices and then lower the food prices, Its food fammilies need not drink.[/quote] If you drink to excess you don't need to eat!! Common knowledge that!!
philgwent wrote:
Stop supermarkets selling cheap booze thats the problem. Put up the booze prices and then lower the food prices, Its food fammilies need not drink.
If you drink to excess you don't need to eat!! Common knowledge that!!
Posted by: LJ, newport on 1:30pm Fri 9 May 08
Waste of time... These kids will just get a 30yr old to get there booze.
Waste of time... These kids will just get a 30yr old to get there booze.
Posted by: robert roberts, us on 2:53pm Fri 9 May 08
This may fix some of the problems but the real issue is to move the legal drinking age to 21 . It works in many countries ---the UK is a disgrace at 2.00am in the morning.Will youngsters get alcohol ---of course but this is a major step forward..
Keep youngsters out of bars and clubs until they are 21 .
The Government will never give it a try for a 3 year period . ---they will just use the sticking plaster approach when the problem requires major surgery.Loss of tax and upsetting bar owners is their concern.
This may fix some of the problems but the real issue is to move the legal drinking age to 21 . It works in many countries ---the UK is a disgrace at 2.00am in the morning.Will youngsters get alcohol ---of course but this is a major step forward..
Keep youngsters out of bars and clubs until they are 21 .
The Government will never give it a try for a 3 year period . ---they will just use the sticking plaster approach when the problem requires major surgery.Loss of tax and upsetting bar owners is their concern.
Posted by: Alan Deaves, Blackwood / Cwmbran on 11:04am Sat 10 May 08
I think it's a great idea. Now all we need is the same applied to cigarettes and a curfew for under 18's at 9pm
I think it's a great idea. Now all we need is the same applied to cigarettes and a curfew for under 18's at 9pm
Posted by: oatley on 3:31pm Sat 10 May 08
[quote][bold]robert roberts[/bold] wrote:
This may fix some of the problems but the real issue is to move the legal drinking age to 21 . It works in many countries ---the UK is a disgrace at 2.00am in the morning.Will youngsters get alcohol ---of course but this is a major step forward.. Keep youngsters out of bars and clubs until they are 21 . The Government will never give it a try for a 3 year period . ---they will just use the sticking plaster approach when the problem requires major surgery.Loss of tax and upsetting bar owners is their concern. [/quote] I fully agree with your comment, I have always said the legal age for drinking alcohol should be 21 and over.
robert roberts wrote:
This may fix some of the problems but the real issue is to move the legal drinking age to 21 . It works in many countries ---the UK is a disgrace at 2.00am in the morning.Will youngsters get alcohol ---of course but this is a major step forward.. Keep youngsters out of bars and clubs until they are 21 . The Government will never give it a try for a 3 year period . ---they will just use the sticking plaster approach when the problem requires major surgery.Loss of tax and upsetting bar owners is their concern.
I fully agree with your comment, I have always said the legal age for drinking alcohol should be 21 and over.
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
