Pub's folk club falls foul of Licensing Act

A Scottish pub has been forced to "bar" a thriving local folk group from its premises because of an oversight in its application under the new Licensing Act.

Under the new rules pubs have to list in minute detail every activity they plan to host - from funeral breakfasts to country dancing - an approach licensing lawyers regularly complained would lead to confusion and loss of revenue.

The operating plan also has to specify when activities will be staged, and when and where under-18's will be allowed.

Now the Punch Taverns-owned Cross Keys pub in Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, has fallen victim to the bureaucracy, because its finalised plan doesn't include a folk club with under-18's also present.

The club's chairman, Billy Stewart, said: "We were gutted at the news, and we really had to consider calling it a day - even although the club is so well-established, and even although its young musicians have been so successful.

"We don't meet until 8pm, and that's when the younger members would no longer be permitted - so we had to leave the Cross Keys after eight brilliant years or split up the group, which we just couldn't do."

Cross Keys lessee Sandra Hilling said: "We are bitterly disappointed, and it is exasperating to say the least. I'm glad we're still seeing folk group members come in for a drink or food, but we have been so pleased to have the musicians here all these years - and now they're gone, and there's nothing we can do about it."

The bar could seek an amendment to its plan at a cost of around £800, on top of already hefty costs.

"We can't do that because of the major expense of the legislation we've already had to meet," said Sandra.

"The pub is doing fine, but our budget has been stretched by the cost of bringing in the regulations."

Meanwhile a local church has come to the musicians' rescue by giving them a hall to meet in, and adult members will even be able to bring in wine and beer.