Now there's no need to carry a passport or driving licence to enjoy a drink in and around Melksham!

The Kings Arms in Melksham's Market Place is the latest licenced premises to respond to demand and sign up to Touch2id making it one of 27 not requiring young adults to identify themselves in order to buy an alcoholic drink.  The law does NOT require them to prove who they are.  With Touch2id they simply need to place their card or their mobile phone on a reader along with the finger they enrolled with and if it's their card green lights will come on showing they're 18 as that's the only way they can get a card! There is no database involved and no fingerprint, name or photograph stored or printed anywhere. 

Wiltshire licencing authority recognises Touch2id as an acceptable proof-of-age method (in line with guidance from the Home Office) and the Melksham Area Community Safety Group (MACSG) are promoting it as the method clearly preferred by young people and participating licensees. 

Cards within the PASS scheme (e.g. Validate UK and Citizencard) have had their day as they are being refused by a growing number of licensed premises due mainly to the availability of good quality fakes and young people are becoming increasingly unhappy about carrying expensive and sensitive documents such as passports when they go out for the evening. A far more modern and popular replacement for PASS cards has started right here in Melksham!

Any premises wishing to take up Touch2id can find out more by contacting MACSG c/o Melksham Town Hall, emailing communitysafety@melksham.communityarea.org.uk or visiting the Touch2id website at www.touch2id.co.uk  Early next year will see Touch2id spreading to Chippenham, Devizes and then to Bath and last but not least, cards and phone stickers are currently free thanks to a grant from our Area Board!

You can enrol at the Touch2id enrolment centre on the roundabout opposite HSBC bank on Thursdays and Saturdays between 1 and 5pm (take your passport or full/provisional driving licence) and use your card/phone at the following locations: 

MELKSHAM
Total garage
Tavern
Kings Arms
Assembly Hall
Parson's Nose
Unicorn

TROWBRIDGE
7 Day Shop
Silver Street News
Voltz Tattoo Studio
Staverton Convenience Store
Cricket and rugby clubs
Trowbridge Lodge and Shires filling stations
Arc Theatre (Trowbridge College)
Albany Palace and Sir Isaac Pitmans (Wetherspoons)
Bargain Booze
Courthouse
MooMoos
Harleys
Black Horse
Lamb
Kings Arms
Twelve Bells
Ship Inn
Club Ice - Westbury