Tesco's 'unknown' rule for buying booze turned plans to buy drink for Doncaster birthday into 'farce'

A furious Doncaster dad has told how attempts to buy alcoholic drinks for his wife’s birthday turned into farce.
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Michael Bloore's 19-year-old son walked to the Tesco supermarket in Edenthorpe from the family home in Kirk Sandall with his tea-total 21-year-old older brother.

When they arrived, the younger son showed his passport as ID to buy peach schnapps for his mum, Nicola, knowing that was expected of anyone who looked under 25. But the store refused to serve him because his older brother had no identification, even though he was not buying anything, claiming the younger brother might be buying it for him.

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The 19-year-old later returned with his 70-year-old grandfather, who this time gave him a lift. But they refused to serve him again – because they still thought he may give it to his older brother, who they remembered from earlier.

MIchael and Nicola BlooreMIchael and Nicola Bloore
MIchael and Nicola Bloore

Finally, Michael, aged 44, who is disabled due to a condition with his arms, walked to the shop with wife Nicola, 42, to get the drinks – two hours after they originally tried to get them.

Michael, of Lobelia Crescent, said: “There are no signs in the shop to say everyone you’re with has to have ID. They told us it was just their in-house training. So how are customers supposed to know? It meant it took five people and two hours to buy a few drinks for my wife’s birthday party.

“We’re heard similar stories since from friends.

“We’ve heard of a mum who was buying wine while her child was with her who was refused. The signs don’t say anything. It spoiled my wife’s birthday. I think it’s wrong.

Nicola Bloore's Birthday cardsNicola Bloore's Birthday cards
Nicola Bloore's Birthday cards
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“It has just been a farce. It took five people, all of legal age, to buy some drinks. Where does it end? Would they refuse you if you’re buying with your-six-year old during your grocery shop?”

A Tesco spokesperson said: “We take our obligations as a responsible retailer seriously and operate a Think 25 policy for all alcohol sales. This helps us to protect against underage sales and proxy purchases made on behalf of someone who is underage. On this occasion appropriate proof of age wasn’t given so the sale was rightly refused.”

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