City of Glasgow Licensing Board has decided to grant a general trading extension to on‑sale licensed premises for this year’s football World Cup matches.
The extension allows clubs, pubs and other on‑sales venues – that already televise sport – to remain open and trading, if they wish, for up to 30 minutes after each match’s final whistle/end of play, for the duration of the tournament.
This summer’s World Cup, kicking off on 11th June, has been dubbed ‘a once‑in‑a‑generation event’ for Scotland, not inaccurately, as the national team hasn’t qualified for the competition since last century.
However, as the tournament is being played across North America, in Canadian Mexican and US stadiums, the kick-off times are seriously out-of-step with normal UK licensing hours.
For example, Scotland’s opening game against Haiti, being played in Boston on Sunday 14 June, will kick-off at 2am UK time, with post-match celebration or commiseration expected shortly before 4am.
Aberdeen City Council was the first to bow to calls for flexibility around the tournament, giving all its licensed hospitality venues – restaurants as well as pubs – the option of staying open until 3am for the duration of the tournament and, for Scotland’s matches in particular, creating a blanket extension until half an hour after the final whistle, even when that goes beyond 3am.
With Glasgow announcing its own version of this special arrangement – which seems to go further than Aberdeen by allowing the ’30 minutes after final whistle’ extension for any of the tournament’s matches, not just those involving Scotland – all eyes now fall on Edinburgh’s licensing board to see if it will join the team.
The leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken, said: “Glasgow is the home of Scottish football, and there’s a real sense of pride and anticipation across the city, as we look forward to Scotland’s World Cup journey.
“This is a moment supporters have waited a long time for and the Licensing Board’s decision to offer a general extension strikes the right balance between supporting our city’s hospitality sector and giving people the chance to come together and enjoy the tournament,” said Aitken.
“The extended hours will provide an opportunity for the licensed trade to capitalise on this moment, if they wish, and give a boost to the wider local economy at a moment of huge excitement for fans.”
Bailie Margaret Morgan, chair of the Licensing Board said: “Scotland’s participation in the World Cup, is an event of national significance and a chance for the city to celebrate Scotland’s success.
“It will undoubtedly create exciting new memories for fans of football. It is also an opportunity for our diverse communities to come together to support other national teams in the tournament.
“Licensed venues know their clientele best and how to provide a well‑managed environment to show the World Cup, where everyone can be part of the occasion and enjoy the experience.”
Glasgow’s general extension will take effect from the tournament’s first day on 11 June and run until the final on 19 July, although that match will kick off at 20:00.
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association, which had previously called for licensing boards to show ‘flexibility’ over World Cup licensing hours, warmly welcomed Glasgow’s move.
The SBPA’s Paul Togneri said: “Glasgow City Council has shown real leadership with this decision, backing our pubs at a crucial moment.
“With the World Cup on the horizon and communities gearing up to cheer on the Scotland team, this kind of pragmatic, common‑sense action gives pubs the confidence they need to create brilliant match‑day atmospheres, support jobs and keep investing in the city.
“We urge other Local Authorities across Scotland to follow Glasgow’s lead. A consistent approach nationwide will help protect much‑loved pubs, strengthen local economies and make sure fans have great places to come together and roar Scotland on in North America.”
Licensing law expert Stephen McGowan, of law firm TLT, noted: “The decision of the board is not restricted to venues in the city centre.
“This is a general extension across the whole of the Glasgow City Council jurisdiction so pubs and venues in the south side, the north, the east and west end will also benefit.
“Operators should note that they must have televised sport in their operating plan to take advantage of this, and premises will be asked to comply with conditions on use of toughened glass and have written policies about getting staff home safely at the end of the shift.
“I would encourage any premises looking to take advantage of these extra hours to contact their licensing lawyer to clarify what they need to do.”
McGowan added: “The extension applies to when the matches are shown internally within the licensed premises and does not apply to any external or outside facility.”
