A likely U-turn on the introduction of a "nonsensical" vertical drinking measure in Edinburgh could pave the way for its abandonment across Scotland.
And if the death knell rings for the measure north of the border it seems unlikely that it will be resurrected across pubs and bars in England and Wales.
The City of Edinburgh Council¹s draft licensing policy for consultation suggested that licensed premises provide seating for 50 per cent of customers and also wanted to restrict opening hours.
A final policy has to be approved by next month and while the licensing board has the final say, the vertical drinking measure has attracted such opposition that it will most likely be abandoned.
If the climbdown takes place, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) plans to write to the Scottish licensing boards urging them to go the same way.
Patrick Browne, SBPA chief executive, said the idea was, "nonsensical and seemed to have been thought up on the back of the proverbial beermat".
He added: "Unfortunately however, a number of licensing boards across Scotland have adopted the Edinburgh 'vertical drinking' idea in their proposed licensing policy statements.
"We will be contacting these boards to point out the apparent abandonment of this measure by the City of Edinburgh, and expressing the hope that they will also amend their policies by withdrawing the idea."
Those in favour of vertical drinking policies argue that they help to reduce alcohol-related anti-social behaviour although there has been no research to prove this.
Police in Preston are among the forces south of the border who have been pressing for action on the issue.