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AIBU?

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Original poster

DS, 11, refused entry to Co-op as under 18

73 replies

winterrabbit · 28/02/2022 17:12

DS, 11 years, has just been refused entry to a local Co-Op store. The security guard told him that he is not allowed in as he is under 18 and they have alcohol for sale. I was picking DS up from the station and actually back to ask them about this "policy" and was told the same story which sounds like a load of rubbish to me. I didn't challenge them further other than to say I had never heard of such a rule and that DS would have to show ID to buy alcohol anyway, as I wanted to check my facts first. Does anyone know if this is lawful? Smacks of age discrimination to me. Before anyone asks, DS is beautifully behaved and was going in to buy a chocolate bar.

OP posts:
SlashBeef · 28/02/2022 18:36

@Brainwave89

I am a bit suspicious OP. Are there any other reasons why your DC might have been refused? My mixed race DC often get followed around supermarkets and have on a number of occasions had their shopping checked on leaving a store.
I was going to mention this..
Hoppinggreen · 28/02/2022 18:42

@ThanksItHasPockets

Where do you live that the Co-Op has a doorman?!
Ours does to be fair
Lottle · 28/02/2022 18:47

This rungs a bell from lockdowns. The BBC ran an article about how it was making life hard for young carers. No idea why it's still happening though.

Myonlysunshine123 · 28/02/2022 18:47

@Brainwave89
**My mixed race DC often get followed around supermarkets and have on a number of occasions had their shopping checked on leaving a store

That's terrible, that's made me really sad that your kids have to experience that.

Also, op, my 14 year old has been going to our co op for years when out and about to buy sweets, sandwiches etc.

DdraigGoch · 28/02/2022 18:49

@JackieCollinshasnoauthority

It will likely be a localised policy based on specific incidents of ASB. A Morrisons near me has a similar policy and, as a pp, it's not age discrimination under the equality act. The local police and head office were supportive of the ban at morrissions.
If you have a ban on unaccompanied minors due to ASB, then say so. Don't make up rules about the sale of alcohol.
cuno · 28/02/2022 18:52

I always get IDed for alcohol, but don't carry ID on me when popping to the shops. I presume then that I'd be turned away at the door of this Co-Op. So many people in their late teens and 20s get IDed for alcohol, but like me don't typically carry ID. This kind of policy would not be good for business at all!

WonderfulYou · 28/02/2022 18:56

I assume it was max. 3 kids in at a time or something which many stores have so you can only go in if your over 18 if there’s already other kids in there.

What co-op was it?

Martianworld · 28/02/2022 18:57

I've seen notices in shops that unaccompanied children won't be allowed in shops. Presumably they've had problems with thefts. Maybe that's the same here. But instead of saying that, which might lead parents to complain that their child would never do that, they made up the excuse about alcohol. That would be my take.

JackieCollinshasnoauthority · 28/02/2022 19:11

@DdraigGoch agree but perhaps the security guard was confused about the reason. When I worked in the co-op the security guards were employed by another company and we'd have different ones every day. Can easily see a situation where they'd be told no under 18s but not why.

Longcovid21 · 28/02/2022 19:19

I often send in my 5 and 10 year old in and wait outside. This is rediculous. Try tweeting about it to coop.

FAQs · 28/02/2022 19:25

Our local one does let kids in alone a few days before and after pancake day, something to do with eggs and flour being lobbed about.

WonderfulYou · 28/02/2022 19:29

Ahh yes it could be the four and eggs!

I think some places stopped selling eggs to kids around Halloween time a couple years back.

SpikeDearheart · 28/02/2022 19:31

@Georgyporky

The shop must have had a lot of problems if they need to employ a security guard. I'd speak to the manager.
Really? I'm not sure I've ever been in a co-op that didn't have a security guard Confused maybe I only frequent really dodgy areas?!
WlNDMlLL · 28/02/2022 19:32

I worked in a co-op when I was 17...

whatwasIgoingtosay · 28/02/2022 20:00

Don't Co-ops have boards of trustees or something similar? In Scotland there's a Co-op members' council, with a phone number and e-mail address for queries and complaints: www.co-operative.coop/get-involved/scotland

Theunamedcat · 28/02/2022 20:07

I've never seen a coop with security! but saying that I was shocked to see our McDonald's had security guards as soon as it got dark due to children playing up my dd had to get a full shop from the co-op when she was 9 as I had swine flu and no-one would help as they had "preexisting health conditions" I had literally just moved I had no Internet and no choice good job they didn't have that policy there

BabyTurtIe · 28/02/2022 20:30

The coops all have security in my part of London and the McDonald’s have a security guard all day they even had a knife arch at my local one for a while 😦

Original poster
winterrabbit · 28/02/2022 20:35

@ThanksItHasPockets

Where do you live that the Co-Op has a doorman?!
We're in North London. Most if not all the supermarkets have security at the door.
OP posts:
CJay81 · 28/02/2022 20:40

Living in rural Wales, I had no idea co-ops had security guards. Much rather be hear than London.

Original poster
winterrabbit · 28/02/2022 20:41

@Brainwave89

I am a bit suspicious OP. Are there any other reasons why your DC might have been refused? My mixed race DC often get followed around supermarkets and have on a number of occasions had their shopping checked on leaving a store.
Honestly nothing Brainwaves. Had it been my 13 year old, yes, absolutely! But my 11 year old is a kind, polite, unassuming boy who is never in trouble. And he definitely looks 11, not older, and was in uniform. He gets the tube home and then goes and buys sweets. Just feel for him that he was turned away although the security guard was relatively polite and just said it was company policy. The store is in a slightly rough area (Archway, North London) so maybe they have had a problem with groups of kids. I have also sent him shopping for me many times to Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsburys etc to get bits and pieces and he has never been refused before. I have tweeted Co-op but first time on Twitter so no idea if it went through. Will also send an email.
OP posts:
LemonJuiceFromConcentrate · 28/02/2022 21:15

Really interested to hear what response you get as this is just so weird.

MostlyNormalSometimesOdd · 28/02/2022 21:20

Absolute nonsense, sounds like someone making their own mind up and trying to hide it behind "company policy I'm afraid" when they're called out on it.
Best thing to do would be to @Co-op in a tweet to ask them on Twitter, they'll be able to confirm or deny such a policy exists and will look into it

juice92 · 28/02/2022 23:04

Contact coop head office, there will be either:

  • Some reason in place as to why
  • A security guard who is an idiot

Having worked in retail complaints for some years, very very occasionally shops will put these odd rules in place, talk to them and they'll get it sorted

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