Mansfield: Alcohol partnership launched with help of Tesco store

The start of a new alcohol partnership in Mansfield has seen a supermarket offer to train independent off-licence staff to prevent underage drinking.

Speaking at the launch of Mansfield Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP), Jaime Revill-Jessop, Personnel Manager at Tesco, in Chesterfield Road said: “We would like to offer our services and work in partnership with local off licence premises.”

The Tesco store is the lead retailer for the Partnership, which is being created to help tackle underage drinking and the anti-social behaviour associated with it, in and around Mansfield town centre. Marks & Spencer is also involved.

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The launch of the CAP took place at Mansfield District Council, lead organisation on the project, with a gathering of organisations, businesses and schools involved and speeches by a number of guests.Speakers included Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Paddy Tipping, national CAP Director Kate Winstanley and Mansfield District Council Licensing Team Leader Sam Yates and the authority’s Specialist Parenting Practitioner Anne Callaghan.

Welcoming the setting up of the CAP, Mr Tipping said: “I am delighted. The way to tackle these issues is through partnership, one organisation can’t do it by itself. Let’s get on and make the difference.”

In her speech, Ms Winstanley underlined the importance of partnership, saying: “Enter into the spirit of partnership, you are stronger together.”

The CAP will operate by bringing together alcohol retailers, licensees and local service-providers including Mansfield District Council, Mansfield Partnership Against Crime (MPAC), Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue, housing providers and the police.

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Advice, guidance and materials will be provided and shared to deliver a tailored response to underage alcohol misuse in the area. Schools, youth workers and those who provide diversionary activities are also involved.CAP was piloted by the Retail of Alcohol Standards Group (RASG) in 2007. It has since developed into one of the most significant alcohol industry funded initiatives tackling underage alcohol misuse with good evidence of effectiveness. Today, more than 82 CAPs have been set up across the UK. Nottinghamshire’s first was in Sutton-in-Ashfield, with Mansfield the county’s second.

Following today’s launch, the first meeting of the Mansfield CAP will take place early in January.