Licensing officials set to make drinkers sit down

A licensing board could force pubs to designate part of their premises seating-only in a new clampdown.

Licensees in Perth and Kinross are in uproar at the plans, which would force them to set aside a quarter of their pub for seating to blitz anti-social behaviour.

Licensing officials at the Scottish council are considering implementing the restrictions as part of its new licensing policy, which is due to come into force next year.

Mark Leel, licensee of the Twa Tams in Perth, is outraged at the proposals.

He said: "It's stupid. We clear out our bar stools on Friday and Saturday night because we get busy. I just don¹t see the point. Customers prefer to stand at a bar."

Another worried licensee, Kevin O'Neill, of the Stagger Inn in Perth, believes the matter should be left in the hands of operators.

"It's absolutely ridiculous and clearly not going to work. It will affect a lot of businesses," he said.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, believes this is simply more red tape.

He said: "It's stretching licensing law a bit, stipulating seating areas that are surely already covered under current legislation."

Councillor Jack Coburn, the convener of the Perth and Kinross licensing board, believes that vertical drinking has the potential to cause flashpoints.

He said: "In a large premises where the majority of the clientele is standing it is more difficult for the licensee to remain in control." The council will look at premises where large numbers of patrons will be, or sections of pubs that have standing room only.