Licencetothrill? No mixed-upapproach
It’s nail-biting times for Scotland’s much lauded but sadly beleaguered licence trade. Particularly for those stakeholders investing and reliant on our night-time economy.
In Glasgow alone, according to recent figures from its Chamber of Commerce, it generates around £2.16bn and supports well over 16,000 jobs.
Why beleaguered? Well, over the coming weeks, almost all of Scotland’s 32 local authorities will, with some very different approaches to evidence gathering, publish their new Statements of Licensing Policy.
It’s where a council sets out its stall for the next five years on any proposed changes they intend to make on their local licensing policy and the regulating of all businesses where alcohol is sold.
It’s a set of requirements that covers everything from operating hours, extensions of hours, overprovision, admission of young persons, underage drinking, security requirements, safety of staff and patrons, training, customer service, child exploitation, deliveries, public health, alcohol consumption, drugs, noise, entertainment, gambling, glasses, single use plastics, waste disposal and reduction, eating and drinking areas, outside and in, to name but a very few.
These affect us all, directly or indirectly, whether you like a wee bevvy or are a strict teetotaller.
If the right balance is struck, then everyone is happy, the tills will ring as punters pour in, employment will be boosted and a rejuvenated city will able to boast that it has a vibrant and safe night-time economy.
Get it wrong and the effects are too grim to mention. The city or town will become a no-go area frequented by tanked-up, late-night revellers fuelled by cheap drink promotions.
Well, busy or not the costs of policing, CCTV, emergency services, public transport, safety officers, street cleaners and