Sunday funday

Pub customers in Paisley were warned to be on their best behaviour when the bars opened on Sunday for the first time.

Renfrew District Licensing Board, which gave permission to 104 publicans for Sabbath Day drinking, issued a stern caution.

A“pub spy”-type survey would be carried out after three months at all premises to ensure that business was being conducted properly and no trouble was being caused, we reported in October 1978.

Furthermore, any publican who refused to implement Sunday opening after being given permission would have his application rescinded.

The board, which met for the first time, spent seven hours wading through 107 applications for Sunday drinking and others for extended hours.

Only two Sunday opening applications were continued until a further meeting. One was withdrawn.

The more controversial issue of extended hours, which would entitled some licensed establishments to sell drink from 11am to 11pm was continued too.

This involved Kennedy’s Bar, in Paisley; the Glynhill Hotel, Renfrew; Paisley Golf Club; Glenfield Cattle Market; and the Excelsior Hotel, Glasgow Airport.

Licensing Board officials were to hold a meeting to discuss these applications.

Although many Sunday opening applications were unopposed, some had objections against them from churches and local residents.