Scotland’s licensed cafes can remain open as long as they don’t serve alcohol Nicola Sturgeon has clarified at today’s First Minister’s Questions after announcing on Wednesday that only cafes without an alcohol licence would be allowed to remain open beyond Friday.
Labour MSP Jackie Baillie put it to her that following Wednesday’s announcement, cafes in her constituency would be “forced to close their doors as a result of the new restrictions but the reality is 99% of what they do is about food”.
Nicola Sturgeon responded by saying, “Cafes will be able to open whether they are licensed or unlicensed – as long as they don’t serve alcohol. The regulations that we will shortly bring forward to close certain premises will include a specific exemption for cafes.”
The regulations will be published on Friday and environmental health officers will be responsible for ensuring the new regulations are adhered to.