In Scotland David is beating Goliath
Recent high-profile closures have reinforced the resilience of Scotland’s independent restaurant scene, writes Alan Gordon .
Jury still out on pubco reform
The pubco-tenant relationship is changing for the better. The latest stage of the Westminster enquiry will provide a clear indication of how far the leasing industry has come. It would be interesting to be there when MPs on Westminster’s Business, Innovation and Skills Committee re-open their ongoing enquiry into pubcos, which will reportedly be next month.
Bill fails to plug all licensing gaps
Proposed new legislation doesn’t address many issues which cause problems for the trade, writes licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan
THERE has been a significant reaction from...
New direction for Edinburgh board
IN an age of controlled media pronouncements, with politicians rarely allowed to stray ‘off message’, it’s always pleasing, if rare, to hear an elected...
Calls to axe the escalator grow louder
HERE we are again.
The Budget is less than two weeks away and the prospect of yet another duty hike looms large over the trade.
With...
National system to ‘bring consistency’
As project lead, I am proud to have been part of the journey to deliver the Innkeeper system, which I believe will enhance Police...
No place for crimes of past
Solicitor Stephen McGowan explains why he reckons licensing boards must disregard spent convictions
Criminal offences are very relevant to the licensing process.
It is, of course,...
An unwelcome Christmas gift
AS Christmas ‘gifts’ go, it would have been as welcome as an ill-fitting woolly jumper from grandma.
In normal circumstances, licensed operators spend the final...
Thinking inside the box
ONCE disdained by wine drinkers, attitudes towards boxed and screw top wines are changing, according to new research.
A recent study from Mintel found that...
Letter to the editor
I WAS very sad to learn through the pages of the SLTN (December 13, 2012) of the tragic death of John Morton, who must...
Columns
Luke Richardson
William Woodburn
