Pubs forced to close in Scotland

A number of pubs in Scotland have been forced to close following the chaotic introduction of the country's new Licensing Act.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, told the Morning Advertiser​ the lead-up to the new Act — which went live today — "hadn't gone smoothly".

"The word 'chaos' sums up where we're at," he added. "There have been major difficulties in terms of licensing boards issuing premises licences. Edinburgh only began issuing three weeks ago, while North Lanarkshire has admitted not issuing any at all.

"Licensing lawyers have said only 30% of licences have been granted so far. Paperwork has not been issued for the remaining two thirds.

"Although police have said they will adopt a softly softly approach, I suspect some of the pubs affected will be forced to close today." 

Browne said authorities had been overwhelmed with applications, which meant many licensees who had submitted paperwork in good faith didn't know the status of their applications.

"This is having a major impact on staff training, and licensees are not able to display a copy of the licence on their premises."

However, the deadline for receiving personal licences, which are also needed for each licensed premises, had been extended by two months. The start of the full regime will now not come in until 1 November.

Closed​

Frankie O'Connor, whose wife is licensee of The Clock Bar in Coatbridge, in the north Lanarkshire area, told the Scottish Herald​: "My business is now closing through no fault whatsoever of my own. I submitted my application last October, paid around £5,000 for the privilege of selling alcohol after today but am now being told I'll have to close until they get around to processing my application."

The council would not comment on any individual cases, but stated that pubs who had submitted on time would be allowed to continue trading. It is believed around 20 premises in North Lanarkshire were late with applications. The council said: "Their licences will therefore expire at midnight (August 31)."

Morning Advertiser​ legal editor Peter Coulson believed authorities who had failed to process premises licences which had been submitted on time could not force those venues to close as a result, because this would contravene the Human Rights Act.