Fareham Pubs and Shop Fail The Underage Test

In the wake of the Spa at Park Gate’s BP petrol station

being caught selling alcohol to minors, last month, you would be forgiven for thinking

it might send out a warning to other establishments.  Sadly that doesn’t seem to be entirely the

case and results from last weekend’s test purchase operation showed that just under

twenty per cent of outlets tested did in fact sell alcohol to those under the

age of eighteen – despite all those establishments operating the ‘Challenge 21’

policy.

Challenge 21 is a scheme introduced by the British Beer and

Pub Association (BBPA) and its aim is to prevent underage children obtaining alcohol

- by way of challenging anyone who looks under 21 (even though the age limit for

the purchase of cigarettes and alcohol is eighteen).  This

gives shopkeepers and pub staff a fighting chance at getting ages correct

without asking absolutely everyone without wrinkles for ID.

Those establishments that failed the test were The Oast and

Squire on Peak Lane, Red Barn Stores in Portchester and The Village Inn in

Swanwick.

One thing this article doesn’t highlight, nor others I have

seen on previous tests, is those places who passed the test!  The name and shame thing is apt, I think, but

it would be nice to give a bit of praise to those in the majority who didn’t

let the side down!