Licencing Board to rewiew Sunday opening hours for Pubs

[Kintyre Forum News]

LICENSING BOARD TO REVIEW SUNDAY OPENING HOURS FOR PUBLIC HOUSES

Argyll and Bute Licensing Board has announced that it is minded to re-visit the existing regulations regarding Sunday opening hours for Public Houses.

The move comes several months after the Board agreed to relax the regulations governing off license sales on Sundays.

At present, the earliest that pubs can open on a Sunday is 12.30pm, although hotels can open their licensed premises from 11am.

This distinction was the result of old legislation which is now no longer in force. The new legislation makes no such distinction.

Board Chair, Councillor Daniel Kelly, said the members felt it was time to look again at the situation.

“We have received representations from Public House licensees, who feel that they are being unfairly disadvantaged by the fact that both off licenses and hotels can now open their premises earlier than they can on a Sunday,” he said.

“We have therefore decided to look again at this, and will consider applications for earlier opening hours from any license-holder who wishes to make one.”

Applicants are being urged to submit their requests by Wednesday, February 24 in order that they can be considered at the Board meeting on March 25.

There will be a one-off, reduced fee of £20 for all applications.