Beloved Rawtenstall Market forced to scrap Foodie Friday event over underage boozing

Rawtenstall Market have been forced to suspend monthly Foodie Friday events after being plagued by reports of underage drinking.

For the past three years, Foodie Friday has been a popular and regular event in the market. However, recent months have changed these events from being "family friendly" into a very different kind of event altogether.

In a statement, Rawtenstall Market said: "Unfortunately, it has come to our attention that our events have evolved into a space where young individuals are congregating to bring alcohol onto the premises, often with attempts to purchase alcohol underage, either directly or through their parents. This behaviour is not in line with the spirit of our community events, and we cannot condone it.

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"Despite efforts from management, including engagement with local law enforcement and security teams, the situation has escalated to a point where it poses significant health and safety risks. We are committed to upholding our premises licenses and adhering to our license objectives at all times."

Reiterating the incidents, the market say traders are "well-versed in Challenge 25 guidelines, meaning they are trained to ask for ID from anyone who looks younger than 25. We kindly request that those who appear younger bring their ID to comply with this policy." They also state food and drink purchased on the premises should be the only ones consumed in the market area.

Planned improvements are set for the market too which will provide them with "enhanced capabilities to manage events more effectively and safely." Upgraded facilities and layout enhancements are set to arrive, enabling the market to bring back the Foodie Friday events.

A spokesperson at Rawtenstall Market said: "At Rawtenstall Market, our top priority has always been to maintain a safe and family-friendly environment for all visitors. Regarding temporarily postponing Foodie Fridays , we want to clarify that the decision to address this matter stems from our commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone at the Rawtenstall Market.

"It's important to note that Rawtenstall Market operates under strict regulations and guidelines, including those related to the sale and consumption of alcohol. We have measures in place to prevent underage drinking and enforce responsible alcohol sales practices. We have a designated premises supervisor (DPS) overseeing operations, and every stall selling alcohol is required to have their own individual Personal Alcohol Licence.

"Our staff undergo regular training to ensure compliance with regulations, including maintaining up-to-date knowledge and adhering to our strict challenge 25 policy, as indicated by signage prominently displayed throughout the market. Furthermore, we want to emphasize that transparency is paramount to us.

"While an email was sent to traders addressing this issue, we also made this information public knowledge simultaneously across all our social media platforms. We believe in open communication with our community and stakeholders and strive to keep everyone informed about important matters affecting the market."

A spokesperson for Rossendale Borough Council said: "Rossendale Borough Council is aware of the recent announcement about the closure of Foodie Friday at Rawtenstall Market. We want to assure the public that we take the health and safety of all events, including the appropriate and legal sale of alcohol, very seriously.

"To date, Rossendale Borough Council has not received any complaints regarding licensing issues or the sale of alcohol to underage individuals at Foodie Friday. However, it is incumbent upon the management company responsible for running the market to ensure that all rules, regulations, and guidance are followed to maintain the safety and integrity of the event.

"We support the call made by Play Market Management to ensure a safe, family friendly environment for the much loved event and look forward to working closely with them to get the event back up and running safely very soon.

"The safety of the public is always our main priority, and we will continue to work with the management company and other interested parties to address any concerns and ensure compliance with all necessary protocols."