Legal deluge fails to impress solicitors
THE owners of licensed premises have been forced to grapple with reams of new red tape in recent years as the Scottish Parliament has...
Licence cap is too blunt a measure
A ROUND a hundred years ago, the temperance movement reached its zenith. In the past year or so, history appears to have been repeating...
Stage set for more drink price drama
Bill will be passed by parliament but policy is certain to be challenged
“OH no you can’t!” shout its detractors. “Oh yes we can!” declares...
No such thing as test perfection
A FEW months ago I drew attention to a worrying trend in relation to test purchase failures.
Licensing boards had started to use their immediate...
Tenants’ dismay at pubco response
The UK Government last week disappointed pub tenants campaigning for sweeping reform of the pubco model. In its response to the latest report by the Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) committee, which has been carrying out a long-running enquiry into pubcos, the government ruled out removing the beer tie.
Why we need a minimum price
THE case for minimum pricing was set out by Scotland’s top civil servant on alcohol before a major licensing conference in Glasgow last week.
Addressing...
Scots top restaurant tax probe list
MORE Scottish restaurants are being investigated for tax evasion than elsewhere in the UK.
A team set up by HMRC to investigate restaurants and takeaways...
Trade lost in fog over promo rules
LOCATION, location, location is no longer just the mantra of property tycoons.
Since October 1, ‘location’ has gained a particular significance for the Scottish licensed...
Watchdog led us a merry dance – VC2
Stirling-based VC2 Brands has hit back at the Portman Group after the watchdog’s complaints panel forced it to rename its flagship product – despite giving it a clean bill of health for several years. VC2 has rebranded its Stiffy’s vodka liqueur as Stivy’s after the panel ruled that the product’s name was in breach of Portman’s code of practice on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcoholic drinks.
Policy rethink is not needed
IT’S official: Alcohol Focus Scotland has acknowledged that Scotland’s licensed industry has been subject to a whole series of new licensing legislation over the...
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Luke Richardson
William Woodburn
