Edinburgh pubs and clubs hit back at 'unfair' plans to cut extended festive opening hours

Venues have warned a cut to trading hours over the festive season comes at ‘worst possible time’.

Hospitality bosses have called for plans to cut festive trading hours for pubs, bars and nightclubs to be binned, claiming the move will ‘punish businesses and customers’.

Licensed venues in the city are currently able to operate for two additional hours between December 18 and January 3. But proposals by the new Edinburgh Licensing Board venues could see the extended holiday hours cut.

Scotland’s hospitality trade associations said the move comes at the worst possible time. Trade representatives said the move is ‘unjustifiable’ pointing out that many are hit by a triple whammy of continuing effects of the pandemic, the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy costs. It comes after warnings that strict licensing rules are ‘stifling’ investment in Edinburgh's hospitality industry and calls for greater flexibility over opening and closing times.

Photo: Lisa Ferguson

The Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), Scottish Licensed Trade Association, Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG), Night Time Industry Association (NTIA) and UKHospitality-Scotland have all joined forces to oppose the cut to terminal hours at the busy time over Christmas and New Year. Under the proposed Licensing Policy Statement, the reduced festive trading could be put in place for five years.

In a joint statement, the five groups said: “This proposal by the new Licensing Board has come completely out of the blue and without any justification. The hospitality sector is still suffering from the impacts of the pandemic, and is also facing a triple whammy of extortionate energy prices, a cost-of-living crisis, and an increase in taxes across the board. This decision will be met with alarm by the city’s pubs, bars and night-time venues and comes at the worst possible time for the sector.

“Edinburgh is a vibrant capital city and the festive period is popular with tourists and locals alike. Reducing hours at this time is the exact opposite of what the Licensing Board should be looking to do and we urgently call on them to remove this ill-thought out and unjustifiable change to a system which has worked positively and been enjoyed for many years. With no evidence put forward as to why such a change should be mooted, we are at a loss as to why the cut has been proposed. Please join with us in responding to the Licensing Board’s consultation (Licensing Board Policy Consultation - Phase 2 - City of Edinburgh Council - Citizen Space) by 12 November 2023. It is unfair to punish businesses and consumers in this way. They must rethink.”

The plans are being considered as part of Edinburgh Licensing Board’s second phase of consultation on its Statement of Licensing Policy, which is open for responses until November, 12.

Councillor Louise Young, Convener of the Edinburgh Licensing Board, said:

“The proposed change to festive trading hours highlighted by the hospitality trade is one which has been prompted by concerns raised, around public health and the additional pressure on our public services organisations (including NHS Lothian and Police Scotland) over the winter period. Indeed one initial proposal was to remove 'festive trading' altogether and limit it only to the August Festival. However following extensive discussion by Board members, that did not go forward and instead a reduction of 6 hours of additional trading was proposed and agreed. This would mean the 18th & 19th December, and 3rd January would operate under normal hours.

"The proposals also see a strengthening of responsibility for employees regarding safe travel at the end of the night. It also gives new and temporary premises an additional month to operate under temporary 'occasional' licenses (current 2 months) before being referred to the Board for consideration. The Board has tried hard to ensure the new proposed policy addresses concerns, but also helps when businesses are just getting started.

“The purpose of the consultation is to find out what people think about the sale of alcohol in Edinburgh and we welcome all comments on the proposed statement and policy in general. I would urge anyone who has views to let us know as soon as possible before the consultation closes on Sunday.”