Owner hits out over pub quiz ban
Angry publicans have it out after boozers have been banned from hosting quiz nights.
Furious landlords have been forced to cancel the anticipated return of their popular events after a long lay off due to Covid.
Pubs have been locked in showdown talks this week with Environmental Health officers who told venues to axe their events or run the risk of being hauled up in front of the licensing board.
Two Prestwick pubs have blasted the move, citing other events such as karaoke’s being able to return.
But it is understood officers fear there is a risk of spreading Covid through groups ‘huddling’ and whispering answers to each other. Both the Red Lion and The Golf Inn have had to cancel their regular brain teaser night, leaving punters and owners frustrated over the latest guidance.
The Scottish Government said that pub quizzes can’t be held inside pubs while in Level 0.
Now landlords have been left facing the prospect of being reported to the licensing board with council chiefs insisting pubs are “not permitted” to host quizzes.
One publican has told how he had applied to have his popular Wednesday quiz reinstated for Level 1 and assumed by Level 0 things would go to plan.
But the Golf Inn was left having to announce yet another cancellation to 33 eager punters ready to put their general knowledge to the test.
Raymond Cooper, the owner of Golf
Inn, Main Street, has now “had enough” of testing guidelines which are killing pubs trade.
He fumed: “This is the last straw, it is honestly unbelievable.
“We had a pub quiz booked for 33 people to come and enjoy a night they have missed throughout these lockdowns; we are allowed to wine and dine them but we can’t ask them questions to win prizes. It has gotten beyond a joke now.”
The Red Lion posted on Facebook their dismay at having to cancel their quiz night and hinted at seeking ‘legal advice’.
The bar’s post reads: “We’ve been told it’s not allowed which is not what we
understand the situation to be.
“We’ll be away taking legal advice in time for next week and in the mean time wondering why 12000 football fans are allowed into Hampden a few weeks ago or 8500 at Ibrox at the weekend but a quiz where every mitigation possible has been taken to have no contact whatsoever.”
Mr Cooper has been left baffled as a host of other events in pubs are allowed to go ahead and added: “I am walking by bars in Ayr and hearing loud music and karaoke, people are allowed to sing inside pubs and take turns on a mic but I can’t have a quiz?
“I was told to wait until Level 1 before
this could happen it is now Level 0, I really want someone to tell me what is going on here.
“We are getting crucified here- what is the difference between people enjoying karaoke or using pens to do track and trace from a quiz.”
A council spokesman said this week: “Under current Scottish Government restrictions at Level 0, indoor quiz nights are not permitted due to the need to observe physical distancing in public places.
The spokesman added: “This is being kept under review by the Scottish Government.”