Licensed businesses in Aberdeen are to be allowed extended trading hours for Scotland’s matches during this summer’s World Cup.
A blanket licensing extension for the city’s hospitality venues was approved during a meeting of Aberdeen City Council’s licensing board this morning (Tuesday 20th January).
The board agreed that licensed premises will be allowed to remain open until half an hour after the final whistle of each of the Scottish National Team’s matches.
In practice, this gives licensees the extraordinary option of screening Scotland’s opening match againt Haiti on 14 June, which kicks off at 2am UK time, and its other group stage matches, first facing Morocco on 19 June then Brazil on 24 June, which both kick off at 11pm.
All eyes have been on local licensing boards since Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney proposed that the day after Scotland’s opening World Cup match against Haiti be designated a bank holiday Monday.
While some well-established sports bars already have a track record of securing early hours licensing to broadcast one-off sporting events from around the world, for the majority of venues, keeping the bar open til sunrise on a Monday will not be possible unless local boards make special provision for the occasion.
Ahead of Aberdeen’s decision, Paul Togneri of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association had said: “We need local licensing boards to show flexibility and allow late opening so supporters can watch the match in their local pub to get the benefits of this proposed bank holiday.
“These venues provide a safe, communal space for fans and play a vital role in the social and economic fabric of our communities. Let’s make sure Scotland can enjoy this moment to the fullest.”
