Licensed trade is a soft target
The pandemic has taken a wrecking ball to the hospitality sector, now staring into an abyss; and there’s a question many are asking: “Is the licensed trade being offered up as a sacrificial lamb in pursuit of an anti-alcohol strategy?"
Trade braced for further reform
Increased regulation and bureaucracy putting pressure on operators, lawyers say
SCOTLAND’S licensed trade is facing its third piece of legislation since the 2005 Act came...
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.
It’s time to bring the laws together
The Scottish Government should hold fire on further licensing legislation until it has tied together the current raft of regulations.
Licensing lawyers have argued for...
Will new boards bring changes?
The influx of new licensing boards could mean local policy tweaks
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...
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...
Cummins – Ad ban plan is ‘an all-out nuclear attack on alcohol’
Christmas came early for the anti-alcohol lobbyists. Last November the Scottish Government published a 63-page consultation document on ‘restricting alcohol advertising and promotion’... ticking just about every conceivable box in the campaigners’ wish list.
Overprovision is still a minefield
Recent Aldi decision in Dundee serves as a warning to other boards
Two years ago, Dundee licensing board carried out an overprovision consultation exercise and...
Criminal convictions can be a tricky part of the licensing system
Oddly, although driving a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or with an alcohol concentration above the limit constitutes a relevant offence, a refusal to take a breath test does not.
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Luke Richardson
William Woodburn
