Tesco alcohol policy ( but not to do with age/ID)

[CarbeDiem]

Hi,

Does anyone have any information regarding Tesco's UK policy on selling alcohol to a sober person in the presence of a drunk person.


I live in Europe and in the early hours of this morning myself and my husband went to our local Tesco for some shopping on our way home from visiting friends.

To give some context -

I'd had 1 beer over the course of a few hours as I had a bad tummy and didn't fancy alcohol but while in Tesco I wanted to buy a bottle of vodka to have a few when I got home as I felt better.
My husband was most certainly under the influence, noticeably so. I absolutely and clearly wasn't.
We got to the self service with my husband carrying the basket and the assistant stormed over, swiped the bottle of vodka from the basket and dramatically swept it away behind a counter while she shouted that my husband couldn't buy it - I tried to inform her that I was sober - which she could see by my walking/talking/sober behaviour- and that it was actually for me and not my husband.
She really embarrassed me by her loudness in insisting that I was intoxicated and refusing to serve me, other customers were around us and one even tried to tell her that even he could see I wasn't drunk (neither was he so his judgement was fine)
She was really very rude and ignorant towards me and while I don't usually complain about such things, I feel I want to report her but would like to know where I stand before doing so.
I've never before been treated like that both here in Europe nor when I'm at my local store in the UK, I spend hundreds each month in their store and I was a loyal Tesco customer but not any more after this.

So under UK law/policy (it's the same here) was she within her rights to refuse me for no good reason?

Thanks.

[Crazy council]

Re: Tesco alcohol policy ( but not to do with age/ID)

Usually yes. most shops will have a sign in them saying the management reserve the right to refuse service ect, and, as long as they are not being discriminatory, they are a private business they can do as they like

Also, i think there is some legal restrictions on the sale of alcohol to a drunk person ( or person considered to be drunk ),

[jon1965]

Re: Tesco alcohol policy ( but not to do with age/ID)

It is a little confusing in that you say you are in Europe but covered by UK law. You also say it was the early hours of the morning. As far as i am aware in the UK , licensing laws will come into play and some or maybe all supermarkets will not sell alcohol after midnight. Also all private businesses have a right to refuse sale of any product

[FlamingParrot]

Re: Tesco alcohol policy ( but not to do with age/ID)

It is a little confusing in that you say you are in Europe but covered by UK law. You also say it was the early hours of the morning. As far as i am aware in the UK , licensing laws will come into play and some or maybe all supermarkets will not sell alcohol after midnight. Also all private businesses have a right to refuse sale of any product

It sounds to me like the OP lives on the continent but is currently in the UK.

As for not selling alcohol to a drunk, I (vaguely) recall buying 3 bottles of spirits (they had a 3 for 2 offer and it was just before Xmas) in a branch of Tesco in the City, after a Xmas lunch :santa_cheesy: that started at noon and this was just after 7pm, i.e. 7 hours drinking.

It may be that, if Tesco refuse to sell alcohol to anyone who appears drunk in the City, they wouldn't sell any bottles after 1pm! msl: msl: msl:

[des8]

Re: Tesco alcohol policy ( but not to do with age/ID)

licensing act 2003;
Selling alcohol to someone who is drunk

It is illegal to knowingly sell alcohol, or attempt to sell alcohol, to a person who is drunk. It is also illegal to allow alcohol to be sold to someone who is drunk.
Those who could face prosecution include:

• anyone who sells alcohol at the premises
  
• the premises licence holder and premises supervisor
  
• any member or officer of a members club who could have stopped the sale
  
• the premises user where there is a temporary events notice

It is also an offence for a person to knowingly get, or try to get, alcohol for a drunken person on a licensed premises.
Breaking the law could result in a fine of up to £1,000. If the convicted person is a personal licence holder, they could lose their licence.