Controversial sign removed from BWS store

Woolworths has removed a sign from one of its BWS stores that banned customers from purchasing alcohol more than once a day.

A caller to 2GB alerted radio announcer Ben Fordham to the sign at BWS Blacktown, in Sydney's western suburbs.

It read: “Due to recurring circumstances and concerns over safety we now have a strict ‘one serve policy’. This means you will only be allowed to be served once per day. We understand how this might affect you and appreciate your understanding in this matter.”

Woolworths told Fordham the sign “was put up in error”.

“While we do treat the responsible service of alcohol very seriously, we don’t have a one service per day policy in our Sydney stores,” a spokesman said.

“Instead we deal with these matters on a case-by-case basis in line with industry leading responsible service of alcohol practices.

“Our team members will refuse service when they have reason to believe a customer is intoxicated or at risk of harm.

“We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused.”
The radio station caller said he had already purchased wine at BWS Blacktown, but had forgot he needed a bottle of scotch as a birthday gift for a friend. However, the bottle shop barred him from buying it.

"I said, ‘so you’re not gonna sell me that bottle of scotch now’ and they said, ‘that’s right’,” he told Fordham.