Clubs and Club Rules

The Licensing (Clubs) (Scotland) Regulations 2007 govern the running of clubs where alcohol is sold on the premises. These rules can be seen in full at the following link - CLUB RULES

Private Functions: It is a condition of your licence that no member may introduce more than six visitors on any one occasion (or such lower number as may be specified in the Club Constitution). The above regulations provide that all visitors must be on the premises at the invitation of a member and must be accompanied by that member at all times. As such, non-members must be bona fide guests of individual members and blanket signing in practices are not permitted. In addition, staff members who are working must not sign in guests as they are unable to accompany them during the time in question.

If the club facilities can be booked for a function and the ratio of members to guests attending the function cannot comply with the foregoing requirements, an Occasional Licence will be required. This costs £10 and must be applied for at least 6 weeks in advance of the function. If an Occasional Licence is in force, there is no need to operate a signing in book for that function. In any 12 month period, a club can apply for up to 4 Occasional Licences that last for 4 days or more and up to 12 Occasional Licences that last for periods of less than 4 days. However, no more than 56 days in total may be covered by Occasional Licences in any 12 month period. The application timescale for funeral parties is reduced to 48 hours.

Signage
Children and Young Persons:
It is a mandatory condition that a sign (of at least A4 size) relating to the admission of children and young persons is displayed in a prominent position to patrons entering the premises. The sign must state either that persons under the age of 18 are not permitted on the premises, or that those under 18 are permitted and the areas to which they are allowed access.

If Children are permitted access to the premises it is a local licensing board condition that they are not permitted within 1.5 meteres of the bar servery. Children are persons between the ages of 0 - 15 years. A sign to this effect is available to download and display - see Useful Signs Section.

Bar Servery:  An A4 sign must be displayed stating that it is an offence to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol by any person under 18 years, or for such an underage person to purchase or attempt to purchase alcohol. This sign should be readable and prominently displayed (not hidden or cannot be seen). A sample sign is downloadable - see Useful Signs Section.

A Challenge 25 sign must be displayed in a prominent place on the premises to show that there is a policy of requesting proof of age in place in respect of all presons purchasing alcohol on the premises. If the person appears to be under the age of 25 years the person should be asked for suitable proof of age  - no proof then no sale! This policy is now mandatory across Scotland and was introduced on 1st October 2011. Signs and training material relating to the Under 25 policy can be found in the Useful Signs Section.

Display of Licence:
It is mandatory that the Summary of Premises Licence (or a certified copy) is displayed at all times. The actual Premises Licence must be available for inspection, at all times, by the police or authorised licensing officers i.e LSO.

Staff Training:
Bar staff not holding a Personal Licence must be trained and a copy of their training record must be available for inspection at any time. Authorised officers may ask  your staff some questions relative to the Licensing Act to ensure that effective training has been carried out.

Signing In Book: All non-members must be signed in through a signing in book. The details required are the date; the name and full address of the guest; the name of the member signing in and remaining in the company of the guest.

Guests should not be pre-signed in by members. This is not lawful.

Baby Changing Facilties: If you allow children under 5 years of age onto the premises, you must provide baby changing facilities accessible to both genders.