Street Pastors in warning over bid for 4am closing at nightspots

GLASGOW Street Pastors have said extra trading hours in the city will create a greater responsibility for the welfare of revellers.

The charity, which looks after the welfare of the city’s revellers at the weekends through their safe zone initiative, have expressed their fears over Glasgow City Council’s licensing board’s plans to extend the opening hours of nightspots to 4am.

Under the proposal, clubs and other venues would be allowed to close later if they were able to demonstrate their contribution to the night-time economy.

Public views are being sought via a consultation which closes on October 5.

Stuart Crawford, co-ordinator of Glasgow Street Pastors, said: “We deal with a significant number of people each weekend who reach the point of requiring assistance due to over drinking long before the current 3am closure is reached.

“The critical question will be, does an extra hour lead to more excessive drinking or will people ‘pace’ their drinking more responsibly? That will be down to the choice of the individual.”

He added: “Opening until 4am will give businesses extra trading hours but also a greater responsibility too for the welfare of those they are serving.

“The impact on street pastors could be a change in the hours we currently patrol and run our safe zone, however it will also affect the countless fast food outlets who stay open, taxi marshals, Police Scotland officers, A&E departments, not to forget the council employees whose incredible work in the night ensures streets are clean for shoppers later that same morning. Surely these people deserve to be taken into consideration too?”

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The licensing board said the move was being considered because it was keen to see the city centre, where venues generally close at 3am, remain “vibrant and attractive” for residents, visitors and businesses.

The licensing board are holding a number of community engagement events as part of the consultation in Hillhead Library on September 5 from 6 to 8pm; Coupar Institute on September 10 from 6 to 8pm; Satinwood Suite on September 12 from 6 to 8pm and Tollcross Community Centre on September 17 from 6 to 8pm.