Seaside town will not introduce blanket glassware ban

The rumour of a complete ban on regular glassware circulated after a licensing hearing on 16 ​June that heard about a glassing incident at the Marine Boathouse in Skegness, Lincolnshire.

The legal adviser for the council said that all drinks at the premises must be served in plastic, paper or toughened glass, except for teas, coffees or other similar drinks, which can be served in porcelain, china or other similar materials, at any other time.

Councillor Robert Palmer said: “The conditions that we’ve laid on glasses, or the drinking vessels, won’t just happen in your establishment. I shall be talking to Mr Twiddy (principal licensing officer) and the police, and we will try and make this [effective] through Skegness and through the area so that nobody has dangerous glasses."

However, the council has denied it has any plans for a blanket ban.  

The council’s principal licensing officer Adrian Twiddy said: “While the council can’t mandate the use of toughened glass in all licensed premises, it does encourage its use in certain circumstances in the interests of public safety.  

"The safety of residents and visitors to the area is central to the work of the council’s licensing committee and is something that will always be taken very seriously by councillors.”

Michael Kheng of Kurnia Licensing Consultants said: “It could have huge implications on many responsible businesses as well as send out a message to thousands of visitors to Skegness and the district that East Lindsey is a dangerous place to visit.”

“I am grateful for them confirming that they do not have the power to roll out standard conditions to all premises.”