EXTRA TIME FOR PUBS AND CLU BS Council to relax licensing laws
Pubs and clubs could benefit from longer opening hours A major shake-up that could see licensing hours increase for pubs and clubs in Perth and Kinross has been revealed.
A new policy statement governing around 600 licensed premises in the region came into effect this week.
Among the changes are extensions to licensing hours across the region.
The biggest change will see nightclubs able to apply to remain open until 2am on Monday and Tuesday nights.
Until now, they have had to close at 11pm.
They could also be granted extensions on Wednesday and Sunday nights from 1.30am until 2am and on Thursdays from 2.30am until 3am.
Fridays and Saturdays will remain at 3am.
Pubs could also be set to benefit with hours extended from 11pm to midnight on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It will remain 12.30am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on a Sunday.
Private functions will be able to go on until 1am Monday to Wednesday, an increase of two hours, 1.30am from 1am on a Thursday and 1am from midnight on a Sunday.
Frank Burger-seed, owner of The Venue and Gringos in Perth, welcomed the plan.
He said: “Perth is so far behind other major cities like Dundee,
Edinburgh and Glasgow.You couldn’t get a drink after 11pm during the week. I had people down who could not believe that.
“Everything just shut at 11am while 15 minutes down the road in Dundee it is all open.
“This will be a big boost for the city. It’s still behind the times but it will get better.”
The new statement, which also reiterates licensees responsibilities, has followed an extensive public consultation process.
It will apply to licensed premises and around 1750 individual people with a personal licence in Perth and Kinross until November 4, 2023.
Licensing board convener, Councillor Kathleen Baird said:“In developing this new policy statement, wide-ranging consultation has taken place with key stakeholders.
“As a board, we have licensing objectives that we are required to promote through our policies, and alongside this, we recognise and support the contribution which licensed premises make to the local economy, through employment, tourism and community vitality.
“Given the significant changes made in this statement, I would advise any premises licence-holder wishing to operate under the new policy terms to seek appropriate advice, and bear in mind that they may have to submit a variation application.”
The liquor licensing team can be contacted by emailing liquorlicensing@pkc.gov.uk or calling 01738 475167.
Frank Burgerseed says the new hours will benefit the city