A 28-year-old man who bought cigarettes from the same shop every day for 12 years is now being refused service because he has no photo ID.
Ian Wood went to the Royston Co-op every morning for cigarettes until he was asked for identification by check-out staff two months ago. His mother, Heather, verified his age at the store and explained his autism meant he could not have a driving licence and he did not have a passport.
She offered his birth certificate and disability bus pass with his name and photograph but staff still refused to serve him. "It was embarrassing having to phone my mum and ask her to come down to the shop," said Ian.
A Co-operative Group spokesman said they had introduced a Challenge 25 policy, instructing staff to ask for proof of age if the customer appeared under 25. They will only accept a passport, driving licence or citizen card as identification and if this cannot be provided the sale must be refused.
"The policy is not designed to cause embarrassment but rather to safeguard our customers and our staff."
Full story in this week's town and Royston editions
