City pubs face festive closure as new licensing rules kick in

Published on Thursday 26 November 2009 08:37

DOZENS of city pubs, clubs, restaurants and shops are set to lose the right to sell alcohol within days after falling foul of new licensing rules.

Up to 55 licensed premises have failed to complete the paperwork needed to comply with laws which come into force on 1 December. Police will visit the affected premises on Tuesday to tell them to clear their shelves until they gain a new licence, which could take several months. Sources say that around 20 of those affected are city centre bars and restaurants, including some well-known "big names". The problem has arisen because of a new requirement under the Licensing Scotland Act for each business to have a designated "personal licence holder".

While 1,924 licence applications have been processed in Edinburgh, between 50 and 55 businesses have still not supplied the licensing board with the necessary information.

Councillor Marjorie Thomas, the city's licensing leader, said: "Ignorance of the law is no excuse, and without a designated premises manager who has his own personal licence the liquor licence will be revoked, and there is no appeal against this.

"Police have to approve every application, and with the best will in the world this all takes time."

While some pubs and restaurants could find themselves hit hard over the busy Christmas period, it is understood those which operate a bring-your-own-bottle service will not be affected.

Council sources say a "small number" of the 55 may have submitted the correct paperwork, but are still waiting to receive a licence. At least one high-profile city club is still waiting.

Most, however, have either failed to submit an application, or submitted incorrect, or incomplete, paperwork to the council.

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: "It is concerning to hear that so many people have yet to get the personal licence sorted out."

Labour councillor Ian Murray, who runs Aspen Bar and Grill on South Bridge, has yet to receive his personal licence. "I have no sympathy for those premises, because they have had two years, but I am concerned there could be other landlords in the same situation as myself," he said.

"If they do not get the licences out 1 December, the start of the Christmas season, then there will be a lot of angry publicans."

&#149 Is your business one of the 55 which will be forced to stop selling alcohol? Contact the Evening News on 0131 6208733. Or email us at [e-mail]

HOW PROBLEMS LED TO A RACE AGAINST TIME

UNDER the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, bars, restaurants and shops are now required to have members of staff authorised to supervise the sale of alcohol.

Problems with processing personal licences before an earlier September deadline meant licensed traders were given an extension until November 30.

However, with that deadline now looming, the city council estimates that 50-55 bars, restaurants, shops and clubs still do not have a personal licence holder in place.

Licensing bosses are now urging those establishments to get in touch. However, it is likely to be too late for many of them.

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