Question reference: S5W-32513
- Date lodged: 13 October 2020
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Current status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 10 November 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether golf clubs can suspend their licence to sell alcohol and continue to operate restaurant facilities under the most recent COVID-19 guidelines.
Answer
From 2 November, it is the position that hospitality businesses are subject to different operating restrictions depending on the level allocated to their local authority area under Scotland’s Strategic Framework. Under level 3, businesses which normally sell alcohol can remain open for the service of food and non-alcoholic drinks within restricted operating hours.
There would be no reason why a premises would seek to ‘suspend’ their licence to sell alcohol (premises licence) under the rules in place. The operation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 does not have processes and procedures which would enable suspension of a premises licence, though there are such processes and procedures if a licence holder wishes to give up their licence for any reason.
Should a golf club or indeed any establishment wish to seek clarity on their premises licence, they should engage with their local authority and environmental health team.