Licensing boards urged to ‘step up’ industry support

Procedures must continue to help hospitality and drinks trade recover

A leading Scottish lawyer has said local authority licensing boards must “step up” and support the drinks trade to recover from the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Licensed premises including bars, restaurants and cafés were ordered to close in March in a bid to slow the pandemic.

Aberdeenshire-based licensing specialist Janet Hood contacted the 32 Scottish boards which issue licences for premises, individuals and special events in Scotland and found some had adapted their procedures to continue operating during the restrictions, while others had “effectively shut up shop”.

Ms Hood said: “Out of those who responded, it seems there are four operating really well, 13 operating in some capacity and 15 have effectively shut up shop.

“On one hand you have boards such as Aberdeenshire and Angus that are pulling out all the stops to keep the licensed trade going by using video technology and quickly processing noncontentious applications, while on the other hand, others seem to have stalled completely.”

Ms Hood highlighted licensees need permission for a broad range of activities, including extensions to opening hours and outside drinking areas and businesses must be able to move forward when the lockdown is eased.

The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act has amended licensing matters to be dealt with in a variety of ways and states the board must give any person who would have been given the opportunity to be heard at a hearing the chance to be heard by telephone or written representation, including electronic communication and video conferencing.

The chairman of Angus licensing board, Monifieth and Sidlaw Conservative councillor Craig Fotheringham, praised council staff for “doing an incredible job” keeping licensing applications moving, while a spokesman for Dundee City Council said licensing decisions are still being made during lockdown.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said: “The board has continued to process applications and recently conducted its first virtual meeting.”

Fife Council legal services manager June Barrie said: “The licensing board is working to support the trade in these challenging times.”

Picture: Kris Miller. Scottish licensing boards have been urged to do all they can to process applications to help the licensed trade recover from the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown.

Aberdeenshire-based licensing specialist Janet Hood.