Licensing act - re standing at the bar (contd from above)

[Maggoty]

Contd from above

Sorry about the ramble (can you tell I'm still annoyed) but after ringing her (would rather do that than go directly to her head office) she again was rude to me on the phone and said that he is not allowed in the Pub until 18. After I challenged that she changed it to he is not allowed up at the bar until he is 18. I pointed out she could have politely asked him to sit at the table but she said she could have refused him in the pub at all and we should be grateful she let him stay. No whereas I appreciate the licensee has the right to refuse without giving a reason I just need this age-restriction-law-thingy sorted.

I have this idea in my head that you are allowed at the bar 14 onwards but not allowed to purchase alcohol unless 18plus.

Can someone put me right to the LEGAL requirements (not bothered about the individual criteria of the pub)

Cheers folks.

Off to calm down now.....

Ali

[carrot99]

Alcohol and the law
Even though it’s not illegal to drink alcohol at home if you’re under 18, it’s healthier if you don’t. If you do want to drink, you should only do it with a parent or another responsible adult.

It is illegal to try and buy alcohol at a bar or at any shop until you reach 18. It’s also against the law for anyone to try and buy it for you.

You’re actually allowed to go into family areas of a pub from the age of 5, but only if they have a special ‘children’s certificate’. Once you reach 14, you’re allowed to go anywhere in a pub, but you won’t be able to buy any alcohol.

16 and 17-year-olds can order and drink beer, wine or cider with a meal at a restaurant or pub where food is served. You can only do this if there is an adult with you.

The police can now stop people under 18 if they think they may be carrying alcohol. If you are stopped and you're carrying alcohol, the police can confiscate it. It's also an offence to be regularly found in possession of alcohol.

from

http://www.direct.gov...cernedAbout/DG_183882

[ChuckFickens]

The legal side of it is irrelevant, it's their Pub, they make the rules who they want to let in. if they say no under 18s in the pub then that's the way it is and you have to abide by their rules or leave..

[marval]

I don't know much about it, but I can understand your anger.

This website explains it.

http://www.woodlands-...ms/questions/pubs.htm

Just scroll down to Licensing Laws

[northernmonkey]

Depends on what age is either on licence or wether the lanlord/lady set age themselfs.

Most pubs allow under 18's on premises until very latest time of 7:30pm (that is law)
Some places is 16/18/21 + over
Is really upto bar manger or even bar staff really, no point in going on and on as nothing much can be done

[ChuckFickens]

NM, I think you are still referring to the old licensing laws There

The licensing law (2003) states it's illegal for an unaccompanied child under 16 to be in a licensed premises (including any outside areas) at any time if it is solely used for the sale of alcohol (so restaurants are not include)

There is no laws that are relevant to 17&18yr old with regards to entrance to a licensed premiss at any time but they can not buy alcohol unless it is to accompany a meal and they have an adult with them (and then only beers, wines and ciders

That said, the law doesn't matter, if the owners want to say no under 30's in the bar they are entitled to do so and unless anyone can prove they are over that age then they have to leave.

[Maggoty]

Thank you folks, and yes I do realise that its their pub etc but the point I was making is that the signs in the pub and on their website state children under 14 not allowed. She however said he had to be 18 to be in the pub - contrary to the signs put up by the chain themselves.

We were quite happy to be challenged - its shows a healthy respect for curbing underage drinking. But I was querying whether it was ILLEGAL for an under 18 to stand at the bar.

I was a female doorstaff on a wine bar for years and their policy was 21 or over and I appreciate they can refuse to serve without a reason.

Just wanted the legal standing.

So thanks for the links folks - will have a look at them all.

Love

Ali

[ChuckFickens]

http://www.greenwich..../GuidanceChildren.pdf

[northernmonkey]

Well just going off one of my local pubs that only allow 18+ ( And if not got I.D and when asked at bar - asked to leave and cause of this is mostly trouble free but it all depends on manager / bar staff in the respect mainly of anybody asked for I.D and dont have any, it could be used as reason to refuse to serve you or asking you to leave but no reason really is needed - if you are asked to leave nothing you can do and thats simple as that

[factor-fiction]

Hi Maggoty, this clearly means a lot to you and I can see why you were not happy. But as an ousider I wonder where you are trying to get to with this- for example you are asking for the legal position ( a dead end for you I think), but i'm not sure where the info will get you. What outcome are you seeking? An apology? The staff sacked? A free meal?

[Maggoty]

OK I admit I am a bit of a nerd. If there is something that I don't know my first instinct is to google it. So when someone states something that in my foggy memory I think is incorrect I have to know. But she has quite clearly stated that if he has no ID then he is not welcome on the basis that only over 18s are welcome, totally ignoring the company policy of over 14s.

I hasten to admit I have calmed down a lot now but just wanted to sort out this for my own sake. Yes I know they have the right to refuse anyone irrrespective of the licensing laws or even the rules put up by the management - but she gave a reason which can therefore be challenged.

Just happy now that I wasn't wrong so I am not losing my marbles. The ironic part of all this is that this pub is the one he goes to once or twice a week - with never a problem before.

Typical!!

x