Publicans have reacted with fury at a proposed law change that will mean they will have to prove they are helping their customers stop drinking too much.
Moves are being made to give local authorities powers to block pubs, clubs and supermarkets from applying for a licence unless they can demonstrate they are trying to “reduce consumption” among their customers.
The amendment to the law is currently going through the Scottish Parliament as part of the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill.
But last night the pub trade warned the change would deliver a hammer blow to an industry already reeling from changes to the drink-drive limit and the smoking ban.
Former Hamilton Accies director Gerry Campbell, who runs the Glen Lee Bar in the town, said: “If this is passed it could be disastrous. I’d estimate my business is already down 10% since the changes to the drink-drive limit last year.
“Other businesses have been hit even harder. It seems to be part of a sustained attack by the Scottish Government.”
Furious nightclub owner Donald MacLeod labelled the move “unworkable”.
He said: ““It’s undemocratic and a snide attack on businesses. They seem to have an agenda for pushing prohibition through the back door.
“How can it be enforced?
“Will there be council officers snooping on people’s bins to check what they’ve drunk and where they bought it?”
The amendment has been included after the Local Government and Regeneration Committee heard evidence about the increasing impact too much alcohol was having on Scottish communities.
The proposed change will now be debated in Parliament.
SNP MSP Kevin Stewart, who is a member of the cross-party committee who made the recommendation, was reported as saying: “Licensing boards should have goals to protect and improve the
public health and clearly over-consumption of alcohol affects public health greatly.
“The inclusion of an explicit objective would ensure all boards must consider public health impacts in the future.”
But Paul Waterson, Chief Executive of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association branded the move “beyond belief”.
“There is already more than enough legislation to tackle heavy drinking in pubs, bars and clubs,” he added.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association, which represents several major supermarkets, said the committee had failed to acknowledge the falling levels of alcohol consumption in Scottish society.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “This Bill is going through the Scottish Parliament but the amendment comes from a recommendation from the committee who heard evidence.
“It is not a Scottish Government policy.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe