ROSNEATH Co-op has won its bid to add home deliveries to its premises licence after councillors gave the go-ahead.
The village store sought to add deliveries to its licence to bring itself into line with other food stores offering a similar facility.
The Argyll and Bute licensing board, consisting of councillors from across the area, unanimously agreed to the variation of the licence at a meeting on Tuesday, September 23.
Solicitor Lewis Barn, speaking in support of the application, said: “Home deliveries are something that the Co-op has been rolling out in Scotland for about six years, and it is clear there is an appetite for these among the general public.
“The Co-op operates from about 160 stores in Scotland and it is simply to bring it in line with stores offering home deliveries. There are currently seven Co-op stores in Argyll and Bute which operate home deliveries.
“They are compliant with the provisions of the 2005 Act and Challenge 25 is always used. Alcohol is always given to a named person.
“It is not a legislative requirement, but all drivers receive the same mandatory training on the sale of alcohol as shop floor staff do.”
Councillor Graham Hardie (Liberal Democrat, Helensburgh Central) asked: “I know that with Amazon, when they deliver alcohol, you have to show identification showing you are over 18, despite what you look like.
“Do your drivers ask for identification when they arrive at delivery destinations?”
Mr Barn responded: “Challenge 25 would always be used. If an individual is demonstrably over the age of 25 then maybe it will not be requested, but if it is borderline they would have to carry out the checks.
“If they are not able to prove their age, the delivery would be refused and returned to the store.”
The board then unanimously agreed to grant the change to the licence.
