By Dave Hunter
Event covered wide range of vital licensing issues for trade
THE need for greater clarity on current legislation and upcoming changes to licensing law were among the topics discussed at the recent SLLP Essential Licensing Update conference in Glasgow.
Speakers that included lawyers Archie Maciver of Brunton Miller and Andrew Hunter of Harper Macleod, as well as Glasgow licensing board clerk Mairi Miller addressed an audience of trade and legal professionals on a number of important licensing issues.
On the subject of the Air Weapons and Licensing Bill, which is currently making its way through the Scottish Parliament, Maciver said the recent call for written evidence had attracted a wide range of opinions – including the view that certain measures in the Bill may be in violation of EU law.
Irresponsible promotions was the issue addressed by Hunter, who highlighted the variation in what different licensing boards consider an ‘irresponsible’ promotion and called for greater clarification of existing law. And Miller highlighted uncertainty surrounding the regulation of public events, and called for greater definition of what constitutes ‘public entertainment’.
Other speakers included Peter Hessett of West Dunbartonshire Council, who spoke about the licensing board’s approach to overprovision.
