Dacorum Borough Council said it was offering the advice as a “precaution” and denied claims that it was threatening pubs in the town with closure orders should they fail to follow it.
However, licensing solicitors and other industry representatives have questioned the advice and argued that pubs are more than capable of assessing the risks associated with the event.
A spokesman for the British Beer & Pub Association said: “You’d have to wonder why Dacorum thinks this might be an issue.
“If pubs think there is a risk, they can and do assess whether they need to switch to plastic for an event, but the torch procession hasn’t exactly been causing difficulties on this front.”
Claire Eames, partner at licensing law firm Poppleston Allen, said: “This does appear to be a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
"The torch procession is a family attraction and, while use of plastics is sensible for public safety if patrons are taking drinks outside to watch the torch, this is a matter for responsible operators to assess risk in the normal way.”
Kate Nicholls, strategic affairs director at the Association of Licensed Multiple Retailers, said: “The police clearly have a job to do to manage the risks arising from larger than expected crowds around the torch relay, and sensible pub operators will already be ahead of the game.
"We have already provided advice to members on the steps they should take to assess likely risks and build them into any event management strategy.”
Richard Mabbutt, licensing enforcement officer at Dacorum Borough Council, defended the action: “Pubs are being advised to consider polycarbonate glasses and doorstaff as a precaution. Some pubs will do this, some pubs won’t, but it is not something we can enforce.”
- Does your pub fall on the Olympic torch route? If so, what advice have you been given? Email adam.pescod@wrbm.com.