Pub’s U-turn on plans for 2am opening

AN Angus pub which won a court battle over a bid to offer 2am weekend drinking has made a U-turn on the idea.

In March, Bar 1320 in Arbroath had an application to extend its closing time on Friday and Saturday nights rejected by Angus licensing board.

The Millgate bar wanted to follow other premises in Kirriemuir and Forfar which were given the licence extension.

Current Angus policy is for pubs to close at 1am at the weekend.

But the board previously relaxed the rules for some premises to help the hospitality trade recover from the pandemic.

However, they voted against the Bar 1320 bid after Police Scotland objected to the application.

It voiced concerns over the potential for anti-social behaviour in the early hours.

The pub challenged the decision at Forfar Sheriff Court.

The basis of the appeal was that the board’s refusal was based on an error in law and incorrect material fact.

After taking legal advice, the council decided not to challenge the appeal. And it agreed to pay the pub’s expenses.

Former licensing board convener Craig Fotheringham suggested the court case could force a rethink of the current 1am closing policy.

The decision meant Bar 1320 was able to come back to the latest meeting of the board this week for the 2am opening application to be discussed.

But members were told the application had been withdrawn.

Licensee Shahzaz Din was contacted for comment but did not respond.

The U-turn comes after the board blocked De Vito’s nightclub in the same street from opening until 3.30am on Friday and Saturday nights.

New licensing board chairman and Arbroath councillor Brenda Durno used her casting vote to refuse the application.