2 at at time in a shop for kids

[fifi34]

can shops insist children can only enter a store 2 at a time by inplying they may shoplift if their is more of them?

[New Judge]

Shops can insist on what they like, provided they do not discriminate against people in a way that is contrary to the law. (They could not have a policy, for example, that restricts entry on the basis of race).

By restricting entry to schoolchildren they are not implying anything, least of all that they may steal goods. The main reason that many shops limit the number of children allowed in at any one time is that large numbers of children tend to make it difficult for other customers to conduct their business.

That is why some shops have this policy and it is perfectly legal.

[Ethel]

Why do you think shoplifting is the implication?

Noise, nuisance and difficulties for other customers is just as likely to be the reason.

Small shops had this policy when I was a child - it is common practice.

[paraffin]

As a shopkeeper would you relish the prospect of a dozen youngsters roaming around in your shop unsupervised?

[TorahBoy]

No, they cannot.

The shop owner is discriminating against persons based purely upon the age of said persons, which has been illegal in England and Wales since October 2005.

Whatever the shop keeper's motives, or prejudice, he/she cannot treat anyone less favourably on the basis of age.

One course of action open to anyone on the receiving end of such discrimination, is to complain to their local Trading Standards Office.

Although I can fully understand the problems faced by small shop owners, this policy (which seems widespread) is illegal.

To my knowledge, it has never been prosecuted, or tested in law.

Shop owners DO NOT have the right to make their own rules, and to refuse whomever they wish to refuse access to their shop. They CAN refuse access individually, to known shoplifters, for example. But such an arbitrary exclusion, based upon age alone, is illegal.