Landlords warned of funeral scams

Tayside pub owners have been warned to be on their guard against desperate drinkers holding fake funerals in order to enjoy an indoor pint.

It is understood pubgoers missing their local have been going to extreme lengths to get back to propping up the bar, including hiring function halls for wakes.

It comes after the Scottish Government imposed severe new restrictions on bars and restaurants last week, including banning indoor alcohol sales for 16 days.

Exemptions include for significant “life events” including weddings and funerals, when up to 20 guests can be sold alcohol until 10pm.

The Courier understands at least one pub in Dundee has been made aware of the scam.

Angus-based expert licensing solicitor Janet Hood hit out at the sham mourners for deceiving landlords during an already difficult time.

She said: “It’s a simply stupid thing to do and I would recommend nobody carry on in this irresponsible way.

“If the police or licensing officers were made aware of this, there could be a big risk of licences being lost.”

Ms Hood advised all bar and restaurant staff to check any funeral bookings during current restrictions.

“If it was me, I would do basic checks, perhaps to see if a service is being held beforehand. If the licensed trade was to take everyone’s word for it and this happened to them with someone pulling the wool over their eyes, it could cause them a lot of difficulties.”

But she pointed out it may be difficult to make checks without upsetting grieving families.

She said: “I’d advise licence holders to do basic checks in the most sensitive way possible, to keep themselves right but without going to the level of asking to see death certificates.”

Licensing officers in Dundee are carrying out regular visits to pubs in the city, to make sure restrictions are being followed.

Ms Hood also hit out at the additional strain the trick is putting on hospitality staff, who lost profits during lockdown and are now wrangling with curfews , social distancing and track and trace.

She said: “This is the last thing they need.”

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “Our officers regularly visit establishments to help them fulfil their obligations under national coronavirus guidance by providing advice and support.”

Ingenuity will be key in the fight against coronavirus, with the world’s top scientists working hard to stretch the boundaries of medicine to find a cure or vaccination.

But out-the-box thinking could do more harm than good, should funeral-faking pub-goers fool their way past landlords. The thought of drinkers pretending to put on a family event conjures images of underage would-be-boozers standing on each others shoulders in a long mack at first. But the virus will stop at nothing in its want to spread, disguise or not.