Licensing board member angered by hearing delays

A SENIOR member of Edinburgh's licensing board has blasted officials for delays in sending out citations to a shop and a pub owner.

Cllr Norman Work stormed out of a licensing board meeting after becoming frustrated at a series of hearings which had to be continued because those defending had only found out about their cases last week.

Two matters, involving a off-licence in Lochend and the Fountain Bar in Fountainbridge, will now be heard next month.

The Lochend shop stood accused by police of contributing to antisocial behaviour in the area, while police had also wanted to discuss licensing matters with regards to the pub.

Both only received letters on Thursday asking them to attend at the City Chambers yesterday, and licensing leader Cllr Marjorie Thomas said it wouldn't be fair to have the hearing which could ultimately cost both premises their licence to sell alcohol.

The council clerk argued that police had put pressure on them to bring the case forward as soon as possible, which is why it had been rushed through to that agenda.

But Cllr Work, who is also the city's deputy health and social care leader, said before leaving the meeting: "Why are we wasting our time bringing these forward when they're not ready. I've got enough things I could be doing apart from sitting here."