Scottish pubs face polycarbonate push
Scottish publicans are gearing up to fight controversial new plans to bring in local on trade glass "bans" - a year after the collapse of a similar scheme in Glasgow.
Licensing boards in both the Highlands and Fife are considering police recommendations that all glass should be replaced with plastic or polycarbonates, in pubs as well as clubs.
In West Fife, the licensing board is considering launching a voluntary scheme in which all pubs, bars and restaurants would agree not to use glass. It's unclear whether any sanctions might be mooted against any declining to "join".
In both areas publicans say they strongly support the police in general, but consider a glass ban in bars is unjustified and a step too far.
In Glasgow the plan by former board chairman Gordon Macdiarmid to bring in a comprehensive glass ban foundered last year when the Scottish Beer & Pub Association launched a legal challenge, forcing the board to back down. The City does operate an after-midnight "ban" on glass, meaning some late-opening pubs simply shut at midnight and forgo their normal 1am permission.
In Edinburgh, the trade-busy Scottish capital has consistently ruled out a glass ban, fearing it would send a negative and inaccurate message to tourists.
SBPA chief executive Patrick Browne said restrictions on glass should be limited to entertainment licences and premises where there have been problems.
In West Fife's case, he said, glass attacks were happening around once a month, a lower figure than other parts of the country.
In Inverness, Ramsay McGhee, Highland area manager for the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, added: "VisitScotland is telling everyone Inverness is the safest place in the British Isles, while we're being told we'll have to offer visitors a hospitable Highland 'dram' in a plastic glass, perhaps after 9pm - it's ridiculous."
"There's simply no need for it - everyone can see the logic at an outdoor event or a busy nightclub, but not in perfectly civilised pubs.
"Just one issue is the difficulty of switching all your glass for plastic in the middle of a busy trading period."
