Most independent retailers who took part in a survey believed that ID cards were a good idea
The controversial issue of ID cards has become deeply entangled in party politics, but it will have a huge impact on retailers and how they deal with age-restricted purchases such as alcohol.
The likelihood of an official ID card has increased after the government confirmed plans to reintroduce legislation to drive the policy forward in the Queen’s Speech. The Identity Cards Bill is one of 45 that Labour intends to bring before the first parliament session of its third term in power.
Most independent retailers The Grocer spoke to at the Bestway depot in Park Royal, London, said they thought ID cards were a good idea.
Rubesh Santhampilla, owner of St Mary’s Food and Wine in Kingsbury, London, said his staff asked for police or council-accredited ID or a driving licence if they were unsure of the age of people trying to buy alcohol. “ID is a big issue,” he said. “We get abuse if we ask kids trying to buy cigarettes or alcohol for ID and they stand outside and throw bottles around. I think an ID card would be a good thing.”
Santhampilla believed that a government ID scheme would help reduce the need for sting operations, when trading standards and police send children into off-licences in a bid to catch out retailers.
He said: “They sent kids into the shop, but we refused to serve them and got a letter of congratulations. But it’s unfair if retailers get their licence taken away without any warning.
“It’s good for the government to stop underage smoking and drinking, but it can sometimes cause violence if we ask for ID. If a customer comes to my shop, I want to sell to them if they are the right age, with the minimum amount of fuss.”
Michael Kates, who runs the Midnight Shop in Knightsbridge, said his store was not generally affected by the issue of underage sales.
“I think ID cards would make life a lot easier and decrease the risk of fraud,” he said. “But there may be a problem with people obtaining fake ID cards over the internet, so the government has to make sure it’s foolproof.
“I think it’s better to have some kind of ID scheme than not at all. Some retailers are under so much financial pressure from the supermarkets that they might be tempted to take a risk on underage sales.”
Muhammed Faroq, owner of Food Link in Brentford, said he would apply for a 24-hour alcohol licence to compete with a nearby open-all-hours Tesco. He said the store operated a no-ID, no-sale policy on age-restricted purchases.
“I think it would be ideal to have an ID card,” said Faroq.
The controversial issue of ID cards has become deeply entangled in party politics, but it will have a huge impact on retailers and how they deal with age-restricted purchases such as alcohol.
The likelihood of an official ID card has increased after the government confirmed plans to reintroduce legislation to drive the policy forward in the Queen’s Speech. The Identity Cards Bill is one of 45 that Labour intends to bring before the first parliament session of its third term in power.
Most independent retailers The Grocer spoke to at the Bestway depot in Park Royal, London, said they thought ID cards were a good idea.
Rubesh Santhampilla, owner of St Mary’s Food and Wine in Kingsbury, London, said his staff asked for police or council-accredited ID or a driving licence if they were unsure of the age of people trying to buy alcohol. “ID is a big issue,” he said. “We get abuse if we ask kids trying to buy cigarettes or alcohol for ID and they stand outside and throw bottles around. I think an ID card would be a good thing.”
Santhampilla believed that a government ID scheme would help reduce the need for sting operations, when trading standards and police send children into off-licences in a bid to catch out retailers.
He said: “They sent kids into the shop, but we refused to serve them and got a letter of congratulations. But it’s unfair if retailers get their licence taken away without any warning.
“It’s good for the government to stop underage smoking and drinking, but it can sometimes cause violence if we ask for ID. If a customer comes to my shop, I want to sell to them if they are the right age, with the minimum amount of fuss.”
Michael Kates, who runs the Midnight Shop in Knightsbridge, said his store was not generally affected by the issue of underage sales.
“I think ID cards would make life a lot easier and decrease the risk of fraud,” he said. “But there may be a problem with people obtaining fake ID cards over the internet, so the government has to make sure it’s foolproof.
“I think it’s better to have some kind of ID scheme than not at all. Some retailers are under so much financial pressure from the supermarkets that they might be tempted to take a risk on underage sales.”
Muhammed Faroq, owner of Food Link in Brentford, said he would apply for a 24-hour alcohol licence to compete with a nearby open-all-hours Tesco. He said the store operated a no-ID, no-sale policy on age-restricted purchases.
“I think it would be ideal to have an ID card,” said Faroq.
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