Licensing chiefs issue new warning on drink promos

Licensing chiefs have given a warning that they will get tough on irresponsible drink promotions and discount cards being offered in pubs, clubs and hotels.

Council licensing officers have been warning licensed premises since last September that discount or loyalty cards are no longer allowed following changes to the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

The board states in its new licensing policy that it is aware of around 50 schemes that continue to exist in the Capital - and they could take action.

The policy states: "For the avoidance of doubt, it is our view that a discount made available to a particular group of people cannot exist in perpetuity and that under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 a two-tier pricing system restricted to specific groups of people does not comply."

Discounts no longer allowed also include student or pensioner prices and even separate bars within the same hotel having different prices.

Officers say that a number of discount cards have been withdrawn, but they estimate that around 50 others remain in use.

They warned that compliance notices could now be served, which would result in the premises' licence being reviewed at a hearing.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said: "The advice that we have had is that there are certain types of promotions that we see as legal which the licensing standards officers have tried to stop."