Checkout staff check if pensioner old enough to buy alcohol

A 72-year-old man was asked if he was old enough to buy wine at a Morrisons checkout.

The pensioner was so amazed that the had to prove he was over 21 that he asked to see the supermarket manager in the West Kirby branch. When the Morrisons manager backed up the checkout staff’s request, Tony Ralls left his trolley full of shopping and took his custom to the Sainsbury’s down the road.

Mr Ralls, who has been buying alcohol at the supermarket for two years, told the Liverpool Echo that, ‘I was offended because it wasn’t to do with the fact that somebody thinks I might be nearer 21 than 73, but that somebody should ask such a ridiculous question as if it were sensible.

‘It’s bureaucracy gone mad.’

A spokesperson for Morrisons said, ‘We take our responsibility with regard to selling alcohol very seriously. To limit any element of doubt, staff at the West Kirby store are required to ask anyone buying alcohol to confirm that they are over 21.’