Last orders on takeaway pints in bid to tackle drinking on streets

Takeaway pints have proven popular across Scotland as pubs remain closed, but it is last orders for this service in Glasgow.

The head of licensing at Glasgow City Council has written to bar owners to say the sale of takeaway pints is “clearly inconsistent” with the licensing laws in the city.

While the council have, in effect, turned a blind eye to takeaway sales during lockdown, they now plan to crack down on those still offering takeaway pints once beer gardens reopen.

In the email to pub owners, the head of licensing says: “While Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 is silent in relation to the way in which alcohol is to be sold for off-sale, experience to date has established that this type of sale is clearly inconsistent with the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and securing public safety in terms of the levels of street drinking and public urination which are being reported and observed as a direct consequence of such sales.

“The situation has now, sadly, become untenable and risks ruining the reputation of the vast majority of the city’s fantastic and responsible license trade.”

The letter goes on to explain such sales of takeaway pints were not anticipated by the licensing board in granting premises licenses with both on and off-sales and there is no recollection of any owners making such a case in their submissions to the board.

Drinks takeaway can still take place in the form of a home delivery or sold as a pre-packaged, properly sealed product such as bottles of wine or cans of beer.

The council adds: “Any premises who continue with this practise will risk having any occasional license for an external area revoked.”