PUBS in Argyll and Bute will be allowed to extend their hours for Scotland’s matches at the World Cup, it has been confirmed.
An announcement by the area’s licensing board has said that premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle of the national team’s fixtures at the tournament.
Scotland will play Haiti at 2am UK time on Sunday, June 14, Morocco at 11pm UK time on Friday, June 19, and Brazil at 11pm UK time on Wednesday, June 24.
The half-hour extension is also set to be allowed for games during the later stages of the tournament, from Friday, July 10 onwards.
Premises holders are asked to contact the council’s licensing department and police by Friday, May 15 to take advantage of the extended hours. It is also stipulated that plastic/unbreakable containers must be used during the extended hours.
A statement from the council said: “Argyll and Bute licensing board has made a determination… to the effect that all ‘on consumption’ premises may extend their licensed hours beyond the terminal hour as follows.
“For the fixtures involving the Scotland national team, premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fixture.
“For the fixtures taking place on July 10 and 11/12, July 14 and 15, and July 18 and 19, premises can remain open until 30 minutes after the conclusion of the fixture.
“Premises licence holders who wish to take advantage of these extended hours must comply with the following conditions. Televised sport must be an activity on the operating plan.
“The licence holder is responsible for managing the number of persons attending the premises and ensuring that it does not exceed their maximum capacity threshold. In order to mitigate any potential noise nuisance, all external windows and doors must be kept closed during the televising of the fixture.
“No children and young persons are permitted. Premises must close no later than 30 minutes after the final whistle to allow appropriate dispersal.
“External licensing conditions continue to apply in relation to beer gardens. No other form of entertainment is permitted. Plastic/non-breakable containers are to be used during the extended hours.
“Where the premises are located in an area subject to the byelaws prohibiting the consumption of alcohol in public then licence holders must carry out an appropriate risk assessment to determine the need for SIA approved stewarding.”
The byelaws apply in Bowmore, Campbeltown, Lochgilphead, Port Ellen, Oban, Dunoon, Rothesay, Arrochar, Cardross, Garelochhead, Helensburgh, Rhu, Kilcreggan, Luss and Rosneath.
The statement added: “In the event that a licence holder wishes to take advantage of the extended hours and can comply with the foregoing conditions then they must intimate their intention to do so to the following email addresses: [email protected] and [email protected] by no later than May 15.”
