Legal age for bar work

[boyfox30]

Can an under 18 work on a bar if under supervision

[fayelc123]

An under 18 cannot serve alcohol but can have a job in bar collecting glasses/emptying ashtrays etc

[Buenchico]

A 16 or 17-year-old person may do bar work if they're on an approved Modern Apprentice Scheme. Otherwise the minimum age is 18 (irrespective of any supervision):
http://www.sussex.police.uk/infocentre/text_version/cont ent.asp?uid=460

Chris

[dannydingbat]

Both the above answers are wrong. The Sussex Police site is well out of date and refers to the old Licensing Act 1964 which has now been repealed. Since the 2003 Licensing Act, which came into force on 24th November, there is no minimum age on selling alcohol. The rules now say that, if someone under the age of 18 is working in a pemises licensed to sell alcohol, they can sell it if specifically authorised by the licence holder, the Designated Premises Supervisor (who must hold a Personal Licence) or someone else over the age of 18 who has been authorised themselves to sell alcohol. These rules do not apply to premises where alcohol is served to people for consumption with table meals (a licensed restaurant). So, in theory, a 13 year old can sell alcohol except there may well be other rules on this type of work by someone so young. The appropriate section of the Licensing Act is Section 153 and can be read at

www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/30017--h.htm#153

[Buenchico]

Thanks, Danny, for correcting my answer.

As I read the new Act, while a person over 18 can authorise an individual sale by a juvenile, he/she cannot give 'blanket authorisation' for such sales. (This is the same situation which applies in supermarkets. A juvenile checkout operator can sell alcohol if he/she calls for the authorisation of an adult colleague for each sale but the store manager can't give general authorisation for the juvenile employee to sell alcohol).

In practical terms, therefore, the new Act still prohibits the employment of minors behind bars since I can't imagine that many licensees would welcome the situation where a juvenile employee was constantly having to seek approval for every sale on a busy Saturday night!

Chris

[dannydingbat]

Chris, You perception of the law is usually spot on in your answers. You are right in your reading of the practicalities of the Act which is badly drafted and, in many cases, the law is not clear. The Act requires a Designated Premises Supervisor, who holds a Personal Licence, to be named or alcohol cannot be sold. There is no need for that person to be at the point of sale or even on the premises and he can authorise others to sell alcohol in his absence. The law also says that all sales of alcohol must be authorised by a Personal Licence holder (this does not need to be the DPS). So this can be given by leaving a letter in the premises given such authorisation and they can then go to the pictures. Each sale by under 18s however must be specifically authorised by someone as stated in my answer unless it is a restaurant when no such authorisation is required. Confused? As a licensing lawyer with a local authority, I spend every day trying to understand the intricacies of this Act and wonder how the man in the street ever manages to do so. I am 20,000 words into writing a book on the administrative processes involved, written in simple language, to make this easier

[john030389]

hi, i work in a pub as a cook, am 17 , my girl friends brother is the dps, if he gives me permision/letter to say can i server alchol. would this be ok or not?

also on the bootom on the staff rotter it says all above staff have the authorisasation of the dps to serve alcholo on his bahalve, can i still serve or not? and does somone have to agrre ever time even if its in a letter etc

[dannydingbat]

john030389

No, each sale must be specifically authorised in the case of an under 18. The authorisation for 18 and over can be in writing as you have described.

[Anarchy9000]

Rather than this question i'll add to it....
Who would you report the offence to if you knew of a pub with under age staff?

[assassinguy321]

What age can you take your moped test and can you get the passenger test on the same day? thanks

[dawncurtis1]

if there is someone on the premises with a personal liquor license, then a 12 year can work a bar. The person with the liquor license needs to be ON the premises but not behind the bar.

[mitchelloag]

Hi im getting a bar job as my dads friend has recently got a bar but im 16 so am i right in saying i can serve as long as every sale i make has to be authorised by the license holder or a personal license holder.