Scots pubs face postcode lottery over Royal wedding extra hours

Scottish pubs hoping to celebrate the Royal wedding by opening late are facing a frustrating postcode lottery on extensions.

Each of the country's 44 licensing boards is devising its own policy on late-hours applications.

Patrick Browne, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association's chief executive, said it is the latest glitch in Scotland's Licensing Act.

Fife - which includes posh St Andrew's, where Prince William and Kate Middleton met - aims to grant late extensions on a case-by-case basis.

Iain Matheson, Fife's clerk to the board, said: "Issuing a blanket consent for longer opening may not be consistent with the duty to protect and improve public health."

In Edinburgh, Cllr Marjorie Thomas said the city is deciding whether to keep normal hours, go for a blanket extension or give "favourable consideration" to pubs aiming to put on special wedding-themed entertainment.

Meanwhile, Dundee has opted for blanket permission on the Friday, but not the Saturday.

And Glasgow will give every pub in the city a blanket one-hour extension.

Browne said: "It's very clear there's no kind of national perspective on this sort of event, and it's just another example of the Act failing to cover something fairly straightforward."

However, Fife licensees are divided on whether the wedding is worth any special consideration. Mark Donnelly of the Cellar Bar said: "We have a lot of English people living in St Andrews (because of the university), so we're celebrating St George's Day too.

"We'll have something special for the Royal wedding, with food and entertainment, but it doesn't need a blanket extension for all pubs."

But Ewa Golebirowska, manager of the Dreel Tavern, Anstruther said: "A lot of people think the expense of the wedding isn't justified, and they won't be celebrating."

Meanwhile, in England and Wales all licensed venues will be allowed to stay open until 1am on the morning of April 30 and May 1.