Reports that pubs and clubs in Scotland could face a critical shortage of door workers over the festive season have been dismissed by the Security Industry Authority.
Speculation suggests only half of the stewards needing accreditation are now qualified under the system, which became effective from November 1, bringing Scotland into line with England and Wales.
But a spokeswoman for the SIA told The Publican that 73 per cent of Scottish door workers now had the qualification, adding: "There are up to 100,000 licensed stewards in Britain, meaning there shouldn't be a shortage.
"There's nothing to stop a Scottish licensed steward working in London, or one in London working in Scotland."
Security companies failed to share the SIA's optimism, insisting
Scotland could be "in serious difficulties" over Christmas and New Year.
Russel Kerr, managing director of Option 1 Security, told The Publican: "In England stewards are getting £12 to £14 per hour while in Scotland it's typically £7 to £9 - so I don't think any will come north at all.
Glasgow-based clubs boss Donald MacLeod of CPL Ltd - an accredited SIA badge-holder himself, added: "Bringing people up from down south isn't really a proper solution.
"You need people who know their customers and the local scene."
The Scottish SIA qualification, which costing £245 for three years, takes six to eight weeks to process.
Stewards caught working without a licence face a £5,000 fine or six months in prison, while employers face unlimited fines and a sentence of up to five years.
A nightclub in Buckie, Moray was reportedly forced to close at the weekend because it was unable to source sufficient fully-registered stewards.
Janet Hood, head of trade body BII Scotland, said she was aware of "a large number" of unlicensed stewards still in operation - and added that it had been unwise to launch the new system so close to the festive season.