About Argyll and Bute Licensing Board
The Argyll and Bute Licensing Board is a separate statutory body from Argyll and Bute Council. The Board is supported by a Clerk who gives administrative support and professional advice. The Clerk to the Board is Argyll and Bute Council’s Head of Governance and Law.
The Licensing Board administers all licensed premises within the electoral boundaries of the area. It deals with applications for premises licences as well as additional applications for Variations and Occasional Extension/Licences etc under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. The Board also deals with applications for permissions under the Gambling Act 2005. Civic Government Licensing is dealt with by the Councils Planning, Protective Services and Licensing Committee.
The Licensing Board meets 5 times a year. Read the latest minutes here, and find the meeting dates below (earlier records of minutes can be found here). Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, Kilmory, Lochgilphead. Special meetings can be held as business requires, or at the request of an applicant. All meetings are open to the public, unless stated otherwise, and papers are available in advance.
The Licensing Board at their meeting on 21st November moved to adopt the new Equalities Mainstreaming Report in accordance with the recommendations.
Membership of the Licensing Board
The Argyll and Bute Licensing Board is made up of 10 elected members of Argyll and Bute Council, who are appointed to the Board by Argyll and Bute Council.
2025/2026 Meeting Dates
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Licensing Board Meetings
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Last Lodging Date | Last Date for Section 50 Applications | Date Advert to go on Website | Last Date for Objections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24th February 2026 | 13th January 2026 | 5th December 2025 | 20th January 2026 | 10th February 2026 |
| 21st April | 10th March | 11th February | 17th March | 7th April |
| 23rd June | 12th May | 14th April | 19th May | 9th June |
| 22nd September | 11th August | 14th July | 18th August | 8th September |
| 24th November | 13th October | 15th September | 20th October | 10th November |
On-Trade Festive Licensing Hours 2026
As in previous years the licensing board has set the period during which extended hours will be considered as follows:
Festive Hours Period - 4th December 2026 to 2nd January 2027 (into the morning of the 3rd)
There will be a general presumption in favour of extending licensing hours during the above period along the following lines:
Festive Hours Period – 4th December 2026 to 2nd January 2027 (into the morning of the 3rd)
For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0000 hours, extension to a limit of 0100 hours.
For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0100 hours, extension to a limit of 0200 hours.
For those premises with a terminal core hour of 0200 hours, extension to a limit of 0300 hours.
Festive Holidays (24th 25th 26th December 2026 and 31st December 2026 and 1st January 2027)
Extension to a limit of 0300 hours for all on-trade premises
Prevailing local late night conditions will still apply, such as the night-time curfew, curtailment of music at a certain time and stewarding.
Children:
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Children will be allowed, under parental supervision to 0100 hours on 31st December/1st January to welcome the New Year, and only then for family events.
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Normal restrictions relating to children (such as the terminal hour on all other nights covered by this “relaxation”) still apply.
Application Timescale
Please be aware that extended hours applications must be with the Board at least 35 days prior to the date on which the extended hours event is being held. This timescale is to allow for statutory reports the Board must consider in determining each application.
Contact us
You can contact the Licensing Board team by:
- Telephone: 01546 604355
- e-mail: licensing@argyll-bute.gov.uk
- Post: Clerk to The Licensing Board, Governance and Law, Argyll and Bute Council, Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA 31 8RT
