SCOTTISH Borders licensing board has been commended for granting a Hawick nightclub an extra hour’s trading at the weekends after board members visited the town and decided it was trading in “exceptional circumstances”.
The owner of Base had applied to open until 3am at weekends, arguing that the club was at a disadvantage when clubs in nearby Galashiels were opening until 3am. The board’s standard policy is to grant late-opening premises a 2am closing time. A board spokesman has denied the decision represents a shift in its policy.
Niall Hassard of legal firm TLT, who represented Base, said the decision “secures the future of a valuable asset for the local community”.
Meanwhile, Scottish Borders Council is considering a permit system to allow catering businesses to place tables and chairs outside their premises. The proposal is for a three-year trial period.
