Keep the sports showing Keep the drinks flowing Once you’ve got the momentum, it’s unstoppable 18687_SKY_Q4_SLTN_FC_MAY11_245x340_V3.inddSkyFC - SLTN - linda.indd 1 1 02/05/201704/05/2017 16:1609:23 18687_SKY_Q4_SLTN_FC_MAY11_245x340_V3.inddSky - SLTN - linda.indd 1 2 02/05/201704/05/2017 16:1609:23 SLTN - dedicated to the trade sltn.co.uk May 11, 2017 Trade split on suggestion local authorities should run the show Should councils control rates? By Dave Hunter confusion, it could also help up with a considerable lack of rejuvenate local communi- consistency in rates across the THE licensed trade is split over ties, businesses and night time country,” said Macleod. suggestions that all control of economies if done effectively,” “You could find you have a business rates should be trans- said chief executive Brigid Sim- pub or a 50-bedroom hotel in ferred to local councils. mods. one local authority area that • Oath of office: Buchanan, Lawrence, McGowan and Waterson. At present, business rates are “It would be vital that local was either significantly advan- set by the Scottish Government authorities used any powers taged or disadvantaged by a dif- and collected by local authori- over business rates to support ferent rates regime.” ties, which have limited powers existing businesses like pubs. SLTA chief executive, Paul The Ben swears in to lower rates and provide rates “The SBPA is committed to Waterson, agreed, stressing relief. ensuring a rates system in Scot- the different approaches al- However, COSLA, the Con- land which doesn’t unfairly pe- ready taken by licensing boards a new president vention of Scottish Local Au- nalise the nation’s pubs and is across Scotland. LICENSED trade charity The Gardner to optimise thorities, has argued that the willing to work with all stake- He said: “Looking at local Ben has elected Andrew fundraising and the delivery entire system should be con- holders in delivering that.” councils and their inconsist- Lawrence as president. of services for beneficiaries. trolled at a local level, allow- Other groups urged caution, ency in the way they approach Succeeding Sue Buchanan, Commenting on his ing each council to set its own however. licensing, I don’t think giving Lawrence, a national account appointment, Lawrence said rates, or even different rates Willie Macleod, executive di- them total control of business controller with Diageo, it is “a real honour” to be within a single council area. rector, Scotland, at the British rates is something we could takes on the role after a year elected as president. A spokesman for COSLA said: Hospitality Association (BHA), support. as vice-president; during Other appointments “There are a wide range of eco- said that, while the BHA “In licensing, one side of the that time he has supported include Stephen McGowan nomic and social factors which “would always be open to re- street can be open at a certain Buchanan in her efforts to of TLT Solicitors, who has each council could take into sponding to a formal consulta- time, the other side can be shut. increase the charity’s reach. been elected vice-president, consideration. tion on this kind of proposal”, So would it be that one side of In his new role, Lawrence and Paul Waterson, chief “These could range from ur- he was concerned that “local, the street has lower rates than will head up the charity’s executive of the Scottish ban regeneration through to rather than national, politics the other side of the street if board and drive operational Licensed Trade Association, supporting smaller town cen- would influence the setting of it’s in a different council area? I strategy, working closely who has been appointed tres and rural economies. It poundage rates”. don’t think anybody could wel- with chief executive Chris patron. would be very much for each “And also, that we could end come that.” council to determine their lo- cal factors and how they think business rates could be tailored Just one week left to to be more adaptive to these. “We also believe that there would be opportunity for lo- enter SLTN Awards cal businesses to engage with THE clock is ticking and there Year and Entrepreneur of the councils when considering are only a few days left to Year, so whether you run a how business rates should be finalise your entries to this community pub or cocktail applied in their local areas.” GET THE VERY year’s SLTN Awards. bar, you’re a mixologist or a The suggestions were wel- There are more than licensee, there’s something comed by the Scottish Beer & BEST VIEW OF 20 categories this year, for everyone. The deadline Pub Association (SBPA). THIS YEARS MAJOR including Independent Pub/ for entries is just over a week “While giving complete con- Bar of the Year, Whisky Bar away (May 19); to enter visit trol over business rates to local SPORTING EVENTS of the Year, Bartender of the sltn.co.uk authorities could cause great- er inconsistencies and more Full range of LED screens in all sizes from leading manufacturers PLUS The very latest in big screen projection. Make sure you give your customers 1 WEEK LEFT TO ENTER the best viewing experience. SLTNawards Enter at: Call us now on 2017 0141 946 0444 sltn.co.uk www.simsautomatics.co.uk p1 May 11, 17.indd 1 08/05/2017 12:04 news Whisky tour gets immersive EDINBURGH tourist attraction the Scotch Whisky Experience has unveiled a new, more immersive version of its Sense of Scot- land tour as part of an ongoing, multi-million pound revamp. The new version of the tour, opened last week by Scottish tour- ism minister Fiona Hyslop (pictured with VisitScotland chief execu- tive Malcolm Roughead) includes a specially-commissioned film • Scotts in Troon. featuring Scotland’s five whisky-making regions, as well as a recreation of a 19th century blender’s sample room. “Our rolling programme of development has seen us invest Bars group more than £8 million in upgrading the visitor experience in re- moves east cent years,” said Susan Morrison, director and general manager of the Scotch Whisky Experience. AYRSHIRE multiple operator Buzzworks Holdings is set to open its first restaurant in the east Clear definition required as applicant assessment is reintroduced to law of Scotland. The group has announced that it will bring its Scotts restaurant brand to Port Edgar Marina in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, which Clarity is needed is currently under redevelopment. The restaurant will open later this year. An attractive on fit and proper proposition OPERATORS and trade groups uor and Civic Licensing Policy SCOTTISH bars and clubs have issued fresh calls for a Unit told SLTN: “Whilst there group Attraction Inns is set clear definition of ‘fit and prop- is no definition within the leg- for a period of expansion er’ before the assessment of an islation of ‘fit and proper’ and after securing over £1 applicant’s ‘fitness’ to hold a li- unlikely to be one as it would be million in funding. cence is reintroduced. difficult to be prescriptive con- The group, which The ‘fit and proper’ test, last sidering all factors which could operates five venues in seen in the 1976 Licensing Act, be required to be taken into Edinburgh and Stirling, is a provision of the Air Weap- consideration, we can advise secured a £1.05m funding ons and Licensing (Scotland) that as you would expect Police package from Barclays. Act 2015, which is due to come Scotland will examine each ap- Robert Orr, who runs into force on May 15. There is plication for the grant, transfer, the business with wife currently no ‘fit and proper’ renewal, etc. of licences on a Michelle, said the group test under the 2005 Licensing case by case basis. will be moving away Act, although other ‘tests’ are “In respect of the disclosure • The fit and proper test will come into force on Monday, May 15. from the traditional applied, including the chief of information to support the nightclub format towards constable’s ability to object if Licensing Act, for which a com- and proper and, given the test ‘not fit and proper’ test, officers “chameleon venues”. an applicant for a personal or mencement date has yet to be is linked to the five licensing and staff should identify all in- premises licence has been con- set, will allow boards to con- objectives, there will be argu- formation available and there- TV giveaway victed of a ‘relevant offence’. sider ‘spent’ offences. ments over where the limit after take into account factors The introduction of the fit Trade groups and operators lies.” such as the relevancy, gravity for licensees and proper test will mean that say a clear definition of fit and Jack Cummins of Hill Brown and the time elapsed when con- licensing boards are required to proper is required. Licensing, said there’s “plenty sidering disclosure. SKY Sports has launched a consider, “having regard to the SLTA chief executive Paul of case law generated under the “Any information disclosed competition for licensees licensing objectives”, whether Waterson said: “Everyone sup- 1976 Act that helps define how should only be for the purpose to win a 65” Ultra HD TV. an applicant is a fit and proper ports fit and proper for various it should be used”. “The big dif- of determining the applicant’s The contest, which can be person to hold a licence in rela- reasons but no one knows what ference this time is the require- fitness to hold a particular li- entered via Sky’s customer tion to personal and premises it means.