Glasgow’s licensed trade is set to benefit from extended opening hours during this summer’s World Cup, after the City of Glasgow Licensing Board agreed a general trading extension that allows clubs, pubs and other on‑sales venues, that already televise sport, to remain open and trading, if they wished, for up to an additional 30 minutes after final whistle/end of play, for the duration of the tournament, that starts on 11 June. It means that venues can take advantage of the late opening for each match, not only those involving Scotland.
Stephen McGowan, Partner and Head of Licensing, Scotland, at TLT said, “The decision of the board is not restricted to venues in the city centre. This is a general extension across the whole of the Glasgow City Council jurisdiction so pubs and venues in the south side, the north, the east and west end will also benefit.
“Operators should note that they must have televised sport in their operating plan to take advantage of this, and premises will be asked to comply with conditions on use of toughened glass and have written policies about getting staff home safely at the end of the shift. I would encourage any premises looking to take advantage of these extra hours to contact their licensing lawyer to clarify what they need to do.”
Bailie Margaret Morgan, chair of the Licensing Board, said Scotland’s participation was “an event of national significance” and highlighted the role of venues in providing a managed environment for supporters, adding, “Licensed venues know their clientele best and how to provide a well-managed environment to show the World Cup, where everyone can be part of the occasion and enjoy the experience.”
Scotland has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and a public holiday has even been announced for the day after Scotland’s first match against Haiti, which kicks off at 2AM UK time. The general extension which has been announced is optional for bars, clubs and other venues to take advantage of so long as they meet the relevant criteria. Stephen added: “The extension applies to when the matches are shown internally within the licensed premises and does not apply to any external or outside facility.”
Elsewhere, Aberdeen has approved a blanket World Cup extension allowing venues to open until 3am, also for the duration of the tournament, with the additional flexibility to remain open 30 minutes after the final whistle for Scotland matches.
Dundee will consider a proposed general extension this week (19 February), with board papers setting out that qualifying premises could open until 1.00am on tournament match-days, or 15 minutes after an 11.00pm kick-off match ends (whichever is later). Where fixtures involve the Scotland Men’s National Team, premises could remain open until 15 minutes after the match ends.
Edinburgh has consulted the trade on a potential general extension where matches fall outside normal licensed hours, with the policy linked to operating plans that include televised sport.
South Lanarkshire has been consulting on whether and how to extend licensed hours for the tournament, with the consultation closing today (16 February), and results to be considered by its licensing boardsthe Scottish Borders is due to discuss options at its Licensing Board meeting on 20 February.
For operators, the key point is that local arrangements and criteria vary by board area. Glasgow’s approach is broader than some, applying across the full council area and covering any World Cup match, provided premises meet the requirements set out in their operating plan.
