Pub owners asked to stay vigilant to avoid county lockdown

A PLEA has been made to Angus pub owners to be vigilant to prevent a local lockdown. Landlords have been asked to do “all they can” to maintain social distancing and hygiene standards to minimise the risk of coronavirus spreading.

It comes amid fears of Angus being forced into a local lockdown, similar to the one in Aberdeen, following a small cluster of five connected virus cases.

At an Angus Council licensing board meeting, independent Carnoustie councillor Brian Boyd said: “I really don’t want to see Angus falling into the trap that there has to be a blanket ban like we’ve seen in Aberdeen.

“The whole of Angus could be closed down and that would be really unfair on the licence holders who have tried really hard to do the right thing. We need to do all we can to make sure Angus does not go back into lockdown.”

The plea followed a police complaint to the board in relation to the Thrums Hotel in Kirriemuir and its owner David Clark.

Police requested a review into both the premises licence and Mr Clark’s personal licence after they visited on two consecutive nights last month.

Officers said customers were still on the premises 45 minutes after closing time and Mr Clark told them he was struggling to maintain social distancing, or get revellers to leave.

But Mr Clark’s solicitor, Janet Hood, pointed out the Thrums licence is to sell alcohol until 1am and it does not have to close by law as long as alcohol is no longer being consumed.

She added: “My client denies having difficulties getting people out of the premises or with social distancing. Virtually everyone is finding it challenging.”

Councillors agreed not to take any formal action but asked a licensing standards officer to visit.