Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pub wins bid to allow kids in bar until 10 at night
WETHERSPOON’S in Arbroath has secured a policy-busting licence extension to allow children in the pub until 10pm.
The Corn Exchange wants to satisfy demand from families out to eat later.
And bosses stressed the move would not turn the busy pub into a “creche”.
But the bid led one councillor to suggest recently rewritten licensing rules might already be worthless.
Wetherspoon’s legal representative Archie McIvor said: “The reasons for the application are two-fold.
“There have been many requests from members of the public as they have been out for a meal with the family.
“That’s particularly true during the summer months when the premises are even more popular with families, given the local caravan parks being populated by holidaymakers.
“The second is really the change of emphasis in the way the premises operate.
“When Wetherspoon’s first came to Scotland and Arbroath they were a pub operation, I think there’s no denying that.
“Over the years they have changed quite markedly to become a food-led operation.”
He revealed 55% of the Corn Exchange sales are food and they sell more Pepsi, coffee and tea than lager.
“No longer should it be viewed as an out-and-out public house,” he said.
And he said the chain had been granted the extra hour by neighbouring councils in Dundee, Perth and Fife, adding: “This is a genuine attempt to provide an additional facility for locals and visitors.”
Arbroath councillor Brenda Durno broadly supported the idea.
But she said: “The only problem I have is under-fives. Your customers won’t particularly want to have toddlers toddling about.
“And I don’t particularly like the idea of youngsters being around adults when they are intoxicated.
“I don’t have a problem with the application. We’ve yachts in the harbour, we are getting more international visitors and families eat later.
“But I’ll say that if I walk in and there’s tons of kids in the bar, I’ll not be staying.”
Mr McIvor replied: “I’m not being flippant – Wetherspoon’s do not operate a creche. They expect parents to look after their children. Staff are very vigilant in terms of observing what children are doing and where they are.”
Montrose councillor Kenny Braes said: “We have a policy, it’s there for good reason and to serve a purpose.
“I don’t see how we could turn down anyone who made a good case.
“There is demand and Arbroath is always hoping to advance its position as a holiday destination. But that’s not what’s in our policy.”
Forfar councillor Ross Greig moved to refuse the application, but could not find a seconder.
“I think it’s acknowledged that in Scotland we have a rather unhealthy relationship with alcohol,” he said.
“There may be a demand from a business point of view. But from a child protection point of view is it really the best place for children to be in a pub up to 10 o’clock?”
Montrose Playhouse cinema and the A90 roadside Angus Grill and Larder have previously been granted a 10pm extension but Mr Greig said those were different types of premises.
He added: “This a pub, pure and simply, and that’s why I’m struggling with it.” The board granted the 10pm extension. Wetherspoon’s is still awaiting the outcome of a separate application lodged in January to extend the outdoor drinking facilities at the Market Place premises.