As advice on Coronavirus is being constantly updated, we recommend you regularly visit the Scottish Government and Argyll and Bute Council websites for up to date information. 

Welcome to our June 2020 Newsletter. 

Raymond Park (East), Eric Dearie (West) and the licensing board team remain available to provide information on all aspects of alcohol licensing; licensing applications; applying for a licence or for an update on licensing applications.

We maintain a library of previous Newsletters which can be accessed via our web page should you wish another look.  You can sign up to receive the Newsletter each month to your inbox.

The Scottish Government has outlined Scotland’s Route Map through, and out of, the COVID-19 crisis and on 18th June we moved to Phase 2 of the Map.  Consequently, there has been no easing of lockdown for outdoor or indoor areas of pubs and restaurants.  This decision will be reviewed on 2nd July.  Meantime, guidance has been produced for the Tourism & Hospitality Sectorand Hospitality UK has produced the comprehensive “Covid-19: Advice and Risk Assessments for Hospitality Businesses” .

Here is some useful information form the Argyll and Bute Council website -

Council agrees funding to help events affected by COVID-19: Argyll and Bute Council will invest up to £250,000 in events and festivals to help the local economy combat the impact of COVID-19.

Business support fund will close on 10 July: Argyll and Bute Council has given out £30 million in business grants, and is reminding businesses affected by COVID-19 that help is still available.

Supporting businesses to re-open safely for the public: Following the announcement from the Scottish Government that specific businesses can start to reopen from 29th June as part of phase 2, Argyll and Bute Council is working with local businesses to offer guidance and support, on the steps they need to take to keep themselves, employees and the public safe.

Bin collections go back to three-weekly cycle: The council is taking its first step to going back to the normal cycles of bin and recycling collections – three weekly for general domestic waste and two weekly for blue bin/bag recycling.

Face coverings: must now be worn on public transport from 22nd June.

Help for Bed & Breakfast and Small Serviced Accommodation providers: A new hardship fund has been launched.

Stay local: Please be mindful that some of the lockdown restrictions have changed from 29th June, but some remain the same.  National advice is that five miles from your home would be within your local area. Please remember to take your litter home with you.

UK litigation law firm, Griffin Law, has reported that self-employed and freelance workers in the UK are being disproportionately affected by scammers and fraudsters. Victims will often receive a text message or email claiming to be from HMRC, directing them to a fake website, asking them to input sensitive information. The self-employed are being targeted due to their increased interaction with HMRC, particularly during the Covid-19 period, making use of the self-employed income support scheme. HMRC or other government departments will never ask for information like your password, and users.

Highfield Training have announced their Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence holder training courses are now available online and are offering examination using remote invigilation.  All that is required is a smartphone, a laptop with a camera and photographic identification. The online course is ideal for those with basic computing skills wanting to apply for a Personal Licence or to refresh or renew their existing Personal Licence.  More information, including contact details, here.  

Three local trainers have advised that they too are providing online training – Christine Roberts at www.northstarconsultancy.co.uk; Lynn Nicholson at www.thebenlomond.com, and Morag Beattie (by e-mail) at morag.beattie@outlook.com. 

As a result of Coronavirus and following Government advice, Licensing Standards officers will not carry out the routine physical inspections of licensed premises for the foreseeable future.   Those premises scheduled for a physical inspection may be contacted by telephone, e-mail or through social media. 

Individuals and business owners are being invited to complete a survey from Police Scotland to track public confidence levels and experience of approaches to policing during the Covid-19 Pandemic. The survey is a platform for your views and opinions during these challenging times, and beyond. The survey period ends on 31st March 2021

Licensing Board Dates 2020

These dates may be subject to cancellation/change as a result of Coronavirus.

In addition to the personal licence information above, advice and assistance on training at a local level can be obtained from local accredited trainers here.

Do you need more information?  Or maybe you would like a licensing topic included in the next edition, or, if you are having difficulty opening any of the links - contact us.      

The Licensing Standards service does not provide legal advice or opinion and the above information should not be considered such.  Any legal advice or opinion on licensing matters should be obtained from a licensing solicitor.