Coming in 2018
As you will see from the information below 2018 has been a very busy year in respect of licensing of premises selling and supplying alcohol to the public. What with the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing, the launch of the new Statement of Licensing Policy and the commencement of the renewal process relating to Personal Licences which will impact heavily on those who were granted their licence on or before 01/09/2009 and who fail to apply for renewal by 31/05/2019. If you are interested in any aspect of liquor licensing then please come along to our public meetings, which are held quarterly and have your say. You can also apply to become a member by contacting East Lothian Council Committees Team (see Forum Applications in the side menu). Membership is free.
TLT Licensing Festive Guidance - Merry Christmas to All and to all a Good Night – Duty of care!
The annual party season is now in full swing and we have all manner of groups hitting the town - including family get-togethers, boys' nights out, girls' nights out and not forgetting the annual work night out!
Spirits are high and everyone hopes to enjoy a good night. Here are our top tips for the on trade to ensure a fun festive experience for your patrons and staff.
- Ensure staff are trained on your policies to prevent sales to customers who are intoxicated and consider reinforcing the message with posters in the venue;
- supplement the above by ensuring staff (including glass collectors) identify drunk customers to prevent them being bought more alcohol by others in their party;
- implement your duty of care policy for vulnerable and incapable customers by - (a) providing a safe space for welfare or first aid whilst assessing if further help re getting further help (b) making appropriate arrangements to ensure the safe transport home of vulnerable customers or requesting medical assistance if required;
- consider a "designated driver scheme" to ensure alcohol-free options are readily available and affordable or give free soft drinks to those who are driving;
- be aware that vulnerable people may be targeted on a night out and have policies in place to support those feeling vulnerable and in need of help – national initiatives like "Ask for Angela" have been rolled out across the country;
- ensure all your staff get home safely particularly later in the evening and/or on nights where public transport is running on a reduced service.
The East Lothian Licensing Board Statement of Licensing Policy 2018 - 2023
came into force on 1st November 2018. A link to the policy is available from the side menu.
Scottish Personal Licence Holder Qualification Review
People 1st have been contracted by the Scottish Government to conduct an independent review and revision of the current Scottish Personal Licence Holder and Refresher Qualifications over the next six months. To see full details click on the following link
SPLCH Qualification details
To provide your views please follow the link to the consultation below. We would appreciate your response by Friday 14th December 2018.
SCPLH Qualification Review 2018 Survey (survey now closed)
Personal Licence Renewal
17/10/2018 - Letters were sent out today to those Personal Licence Holders whose licences were issued by East Lothian Licensing Board on or before 1st September 2009 and are due for renewal. Please read your letter thoroughly and follow the guidance on renewal and refresher training precisely.
Important – if your personal licence was issued on or before 1 September 2009 this applies to you and you need to act now!
Key dates –
31 August 2018 - Personal Licence Holders can apply to renew their personal licence
31 May 2019 – absolute deadline for submitting your personal licence renewal application, but if you leave it this late you risk losing your licence
1 September 2019 – expiry date for personal licences granted up to 1st September 2009
The fee for renewal was set by the Scottish Government at £50
Guidance on the renewal process was issued by the Scottish Government on 31 July 2018. The full details can be found at the following link - The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 - Personal Licence Holder Communications Document
Ask Angela - An alert scheme for vulnerable women in licensed premises
For details of the scheme click here
Retailer Alert Bulletin - EASY IPA
October 2018 - Please note the alert on the above product - view the link here
Retailer Alert Bulletin - CRONKY VODKA
October 2018 - Please note the alert on the above product - view the link here
Antisocial Behaviour - If you are a victim of noise nuisance, don't suffer in silence, tell the police on 101 or report the problem through the new anti-social behaviour helpline on 01875824307.
Licensing Board General Extension To Licensing Hours Scottish Open Championship 2018. Please see the extension granted at the Licensing Board on 28th June 2018. Full details can be viewed by clicking on the General Extensions button from the options menu on the left hand side.
Minimum Unit Pricing MUP Commenced 1st May 2018
See the section on this topic a little further down this page.
Statement of Licensing Policy 2018 - 2022
Consultation on the draft policy is now up and running at the following link - SURVEY . You will be able to see the draft policy and complete a short survey that is held on the East Lothian Council Communications Hub website . This survey concludes Friday 29th June 2018.
Best Bar None Award Winners 2018
Bronze Award Winners
Cockenzie & Port Seton British Legion
Bayswell Park Hotel
Zittos
Silver Award Winners
Levenhall Arms
Craighouse
Cockenzie & Port Seton Bowling Club
Brig Inn
Gold Award Winners
Pine Marten
Tweeddale Arms Hotel
Anchor
Royal MacKintosh
Golf Tavern
Coalgate
Prestonpans Labour Club
Dunmuir Hotel
Queen Margaret University Students Union
Thorntree
Seton Sands Holiday Village
Golfers Rest
Congratulations to all the participants in this year's awards scheme. BBN Awards Ceremony will be on the 16th March at the Brunton Hall 2pm.
Minimum Unit Pricing
From 1st May premises licences and occasional licences issued by Licensing Boards will be subject to a condition preventing the sale of alcohol under a minimum unit price (MUP) of 50 pence per unit. Licensing Standards Officers have been given the task of checking compliance. No doubt, this will mean a lot more visits from LSOs with their calculators primed.
The Scottish Government have created a website which provides guidance and information on minimum unit pricing such as frequently asked questions, example calculations and general guidance on how to make your business MUP ready. For further information and guidance please visit Minimum Unit Pricing for Alcohol (Opens in a new window)
Disability Access
As of 31st March all new applications for premises licences will need to include a disability access statement form.
Planning Public Events - Don't Get Caught Out
The Licensing Board will consider applications for licensing of the sale and supply of alcohol at public events. However, it must be made clear that organisers have a responsibility to ensure that they check and apply for other types of licence that may be required under other legislation in relation to the activity they intend to hold.
Organisers of a public event need to be aware that a great deal of planning and organisation is required to run an event successfully. The safety of all involved and the compliance with a wide range of legislation must be considered. As an organiser it must be remembered that, at all times, you are responsible for all aspects of the event under your control.
East Lothian Council chairs the Strategic Safety Advisory Group (SSAG) for events planned within the area. Organisers of public events should contact the SSAG without delay by emailing events@eastlothian.gov.uk and completing the notification form at https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/forms/form/211/notification_of_a_proposed_public_event
Best Bar None Awards
The assessments have been done and the award winners will be published soon.
If you did not apply and would like an application form for the next round of awards please get in touch with Police Scotland - allen.paul@scotland.pnn.police.uk or phone 01620827569.
Postage Savings
East Lothian Council postage costs are significant. This year cutting costs will be even more of a priority than ever before. Therefore, reducing costs by the use of e-mail will be
increasing used by licensing to send out letters, general mail and notifications. As such it is imperative that licensees inform the Licensing Office and LSO of their current e-mail address and keep it up to date.
Consultation on East Lothian Licensing Board's 'Statement of Licensing Policy' 2018-2022. A link will be displayed here once the consultation gets underway in late January.
Scottish Government's consultation of the introduction of Sex Entertainment Venue Licensing, as introduced in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. The consultation ends 7th February. At present there are no SEVs in East Lothian.
Useful Signs
Some new pub watch signs are available from the Useful Signs menu.
