SBPA to serve writ on licensing board

March 1, 2008: The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has been given the go-ahead by a judge in the Court of Session to serve a writ on the Glasgow Licensing Board.

The SBPA is seeking a Judicial Review of comments in the Glasgow Board's
Licensing Policy Statement in relation to its suggested requirement under
the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 that there needs to be a personal licence
holder (PLH) on a licensed premises "at all times" that alcohol is being
sold.

The writ is expected to be served on the Glasgow Licensing Board early next
week at the latest, with a full hearing of the action scheduled for the Court
of Session on May 1 and 2.

Patrick Browne, chief executive of the SBPA, said: "We look forward to the matter being progressed in the Court of Session in early May, but in the interim the SBPA reserves the right to act in defence of our members and wider industry interests in relation to any action by any Licensing Board in Scotland progressing licensing transition under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

"We are closely monitoring the actions of Scottish licensing boards and will not hesitate to act if we believe this to be in our members interests."