Scotland limits 24-hour drinking
SCOTLAND WILL not become a round-the-clock drinking culture when the new licensing regime comes into force.
That was the message from Michael McMahon MSP, member of the Scottish Parliament Local Government and Transport Committee, who was speaking at a recent conference in Edinburgh.
"Under no circumstances will 24-hour opening be routinely accepted in Scotland," he said.
McMahon said that "one-off events" such as the World Cup should be the type of exceptional circumstances where allowance for extended drinking hours could be made.
The new regime is set to come into force on September 1, 2009, following an 18-month transition period.
McMahon said that the new Act will "protect responsible traders", while giving police the power to take "swift and effective action" against abusers of the system.
The new legislation will make approved training for those involved in the sale of alcohol mandatory and will introduce a personal licence system for premises managers.
The variety of existing Scottish licences will be simplified down to two off-sales and on-sales.
Janet Hood, head of the BII in Scotland, said: "Because there are no'grandfather rights' we are going to have to apply for everything as of new." Hood suggested that an application for a small village shop or a one-room pub would cost in the region of £3,000 to £5,000.
She also expressed her concern about the lack of individual discretion on the part of premises managers in closing earlier than their licence stipulates.
Happy hours effectively outlawed
In a bid to cut back on binge-drinking, the new Act will also effectively outlaw happy hours, requiring that prices in both on-sales and off-sales are unable to move twice within 72 hours.
Bans will be imposed on those promotions considered to be irresponsible, promotions that offer free drink, "£10 for all you can drink" and such like for example, said McMahon.
