Dozens of Scots pubs closed on first day of Act

Dozens of pubs across Scotland were warned that if they opened their doors today they could be prosecuted after failing to apply for new licences.

As the Scottish Licensing Act came into force it is understood up to 25 pubs in North Lanarkshire, eight in Dundee and other across the country had been told they should not trade.

The warnings comes despite North Lanarkshire failing to issue any pubs or publicans with new licences and with the government urging licensing boards to take a "common sense" approach as the new legislation takes effect.

The Heritage Bar in the Coatbridge area of North Lanarkshire did not open today after receiving warnings from the police and the licensing board.

The owners, who have three other pubs that can carry on trading, are currently trying to establish if solicitors filed the application on time.

One of the owners, who did not want to be named, said: "We have a letter from the licensing board advising us not to open because we would be in breach of the legislation.

"It is the last thing that we needed and it could be the end of next week or the following week before we open again."

Paul Waterson, chief executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said the new legislation had got off to a "chaotic" start.

"The whole system has fallen apart. One of the main reasons for this Act was to streamline administration and it has failed the first test."

And Patrick Browne, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, added: "I would think there would be cases like North Lanarkshire in other areas. There has been a lack of communication by some boards to licensees."

But June Murray, head of legal services at North Lanarkshire, said the only pubs being told not to open were the ones yet to apply for the licences.

She said: "Although we have not started to issue the licences, premises who have timeously submitted an application under the 2005 Act have been informed that they will be able to continue trading while their applications are processed.

"Information on the legislation was issued to licensed premises by the Scottish Government in early 2008 and North Lanarkshire Licensing Board wrote to all licence holders in its area advising of the deadlines.

"It is the responsibility of owners to make their applications on time."

Meanwhile Glasgow board chairman Stephen Dornan described the process as "a total shambles" but added the city has used a fast-processing system to "get on top" of the situation; and has issued 1,638 out of 1,660 premises licences, with no plans to close any premises.

And a spokesman for East Renfrewshire said: "We know that trade depends upon having everything totally organised so we were very proactive throughout, calling licensees personally; we've issued 89 per cent of premiseses licences and 100 per cent of personal licences (93 and 337 respectively)."

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