The sale of age-restricted goods can be a legal minefield for the small trader.
Without access to the back-up and resources of a national organisation, the local shopkeeper can all too easily lose track of the latest legislation and find himself in the dock because he, or one of his staff, has unwittingly broken the law.
To try to prevent this scenario, Croydon Council’s trading standards team runs a scheme called Do You Pass?, aimed at offering valuable support to the borough’s small and medium-sized traders.
Day four of London Trading Standards Week focuses on how councils’ TS teams can provide the sort of support and advice that can help small businesses grow and flourish.
Croydon’s Do You Pass? retailer training sessions are available, free of charge, to small and medium-sized Croydon-based businesses, helping traders to understand the law and their age-related sales obligations.
Councillor Hamida Ali, cabinet member for communities, safety and justice
“The Do You Pass? courses have proved invaluable to many small local traders.
“The laws around the sale of age-restricted goods can be confusing, taking in, as they do, bladed items, tobacco goods and alcohol.
“The Do You Pass? scheme is a great initiative, offering free instruction on the relevant laws and a certificate to all who pass the course successfully.
“A number of traders across the borough have found out, to their cost, that ignorance of the law is no defence and can be very costly – not to mention the damage their actions could cause our young people at risk of knife crime. I’d urge all small and medium-sized borough-based retailers to take advantage of this council offer – for the good of themselves and the communities they serve.”
Traders keen to take part in forthcoming Do You Pass? training sessions can get further information at www.tradingstandards.uk/events/doyouPASS.cfm
Space is limited, so be sure to book early. The next sessions are on:
• Wednesday 25 January 2017 – 10am to 12.45pm; 1.15 to 4pm.
As indicated, the sessions run for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, and include a 30-minute multiple-choice exam. These courses are offered free of charge and are available only to small or medium-sized Croydon-based businesses.
Unique to Croydon, the sessions will also feature a short presentation from Public Health Croydon entitled Protecting children and young people – everyone’s business.
