Trade chiefs warn of 'crisis' in Scotland

Trade chiefs in Scotland have warned of a "looming crisis" with thousands of publicans yet to receive personal licences with deadline day fast-approaching.

In response to figures that show only 7,600 of Scotland's 17,000 licensees have been granted a new personal licence, trade chiefs have urged the government to consider extending the August 31 deadline.

BII Scotland head Janet Hood said: "We are going to hit a crisis for personal licence applicants as many boards have chosen to make the application to transition even harder.

"The trade has been unwilling to apply for personal licences until they know they have been granted their premises licences - understandable as why spend more if it will be to no purpose?"

Scottish Licensed Trade Association chief executive Paul Waterson said: "We are facing very serious problems. Some people think once they've done their training (mandatory under the new Act) that's it.

"There's also the fact that licensing boards across the country are taking widely differing approaches to particular conditions."

The figures, that were obtained by the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, also show that In Edinburgh 98 per cent of personal licence applications have been granted but only 1,565 out of around 4,000 have been approved in Glasgow.

South Ayrshire licensing board chairman Douglas Campbell said pubs in his area were facing closure as so far only 247 of the 450 premises had completed the certification process.

He said: "In the past, licensed premises ordered to shut could stay open pending an appeal.

"The new law states that they will remain closed until their appeal against closure has been heard."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government told The Publican​: "The government appreciate the significant efforts the relevant trade associations played in encouraging applications.

"We are listening to the concerns raised but the onus is on the trade to get their personal licence applications submitted."