Changes to Scottish Alcohol Licensing
The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 heralds the biggest change to Scotland's licensing laws in 30 years and affects the vast majority of outlets where alcohol is served and sold. The current system of seven licences and statutory opening hours is replaced with two new licences: personal licence and premises licence. To continue to trade from 1 September 2009, you must have applied for a premises licence and have submitted an operating plan and layout plan as part of the application process.
John Drummond, Chief Executive of the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) said: “Claims from the Scottish Government that the new Act aims to simplify and modernise the existing licensing legislation will raise some eyebrows. Different interpretation of the Act from area to area has proved challenging especially for multi-site retailers operating in more than one local authority. Retailers already struggling with the economic slowdown have been left reeling at the cost of complying with regulations and reports of log jams in systems delaying the issuing of personal and premises licences, led SGF to question whether retailers would be able to sell alcohol on the 1st September.
“During meetings with the Scottish Government, SGF fed this evidence into the discussions and we welcome the decision taken by Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill, to allow retailers who have applied for a personal licence by the end of August to continue selling alcohol for a two month period if they have not received their licence by the 1st of September.
“Whilst this decision will alleviate some timing issues, SGF is concerned small shops who intended to use their personal licence holders to train staff may still be unable to sell alcohol on the 1st September. The new regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament do not affect staff training which still must be completed by the 1st September by either a person who holds a personal licence or a training provider. SGF will continue to urge Ministers to rethink this area.”
ACS is working with SGF on the changes.
Download the SGF newsletter for full details of the changes and what retailers need to do to ensure they are compliant.