THE announcement of a 6000-capacity ‘fan zone’ at Glasgow Green for the upcoming Euro 2020 football tournament has “added insult to injury” while the city’s licensed trade “remains in limbo”, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has said.
It was announced earlier this week that plans for the fan zone had been provisionally approved, with the area set to welcome up to 6000 fans every day between 11th June and 11th July while the tournament takes place. The Euro 2020 website says there will be “a range of food and beverages” available in the fan zone.
SLTA spokesman Paul Waterson said the announcement had caused “intense anger” among licensees in the city, many of whom are still unable to reopen their businesses as the city remains in level three of coronavirus restrictions.
“I cannot underestimate the level of rage there is about this – my phone has been ringing off the hook with publicans asking me to explain why this is allowed to happen when they are languishing in limbo,” said Waterson.
“Can’t the government and Glasgow City Council see that this is adding insult to injury? People are understandably upset.
“While we appreciate the approval is provisional at this stage there is a fear that an event of this size and scale will take business away from the licensed trade operators who pay their rates year in, year out and have been absolutely hammered over the last 14/15 months and who are waiting patiently to move into level two so they can serve their customers indoors.
“Obviously we are delighted that Scotland have qualified for Euro 2020 and will be playing at Hampden but there must be a level playing field for the licensed hospitality trade operators in the city.”
