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Pubs and bars in Glasgow will stay open until 1am in a move by the council designed to boost the city’s night time economy.
The temporary move, which could be introduced next summer for a year will mean establishments will be able to push back closing time by an hour.
Landlords will need to apply to the licensing board to extend their opening times.
The new plan brings Glasgow in line with Edinburgh which already allows bars to be open until 1am.
A spokesman for Glasgow Licensing Board said: “Standard closing time for most premises has remained at 12 midnight for many years and undertaking a 12-month trial will provide an opportunity to assess the impact of an extra hour of opening.
“Following the successful trial of 4am closing for city centre nightclubs, we have an approach we can replicate for bars and others premises in the city centre.”
There are fears that existing transport provisions and times of services within the city centre would not support an extension of terminal hours for city centre pubs and bars until 1am. But it is hoped this will encourage people to come into the city centre knowing they can extend their evening out.
Thomas Mcdonagh, owner of Glasgow city centre pub Bon Accord, doesn’t believe this will help that much as most people are finished drinking in pubs by 12. He said: “It may even take some business away from late night venues. It will make it easier to get a taxi if everyone is not hitting the streets at midnight. Time will tell”.
Senior SNP councillors have welcomed the move after pushing for the change ahead of the city’s Licensing Board unveiling its new policy statement. Venues wishing to take part will need to apply for a varied license by January 31st next year and all applications will then be considered at a Licensing Board meeting.
Councillors will be looking at hospital admissions, alcohol-related crime and disorder, public nuisance and public health during the period of the trial as they state that public safety is priority.
The impact that the extra hour has will also determine whether the change is made permanent.
The spokesperson added: “No extension to opening hours will be made permanent before the wider impact of the trial has been considered and individual premises are subjected to further scrutiny from the licensing board.”
