Praise for 'vertical drinking' u-turn

October 16, 2007: The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has welcomed indications that the City of Edinburgh's Licensing Board looks set to drop proposals that would have forced licensed premises to provide seating for 50% of patrons.

"This climb down, if it happens, will be a very welcome one," said association chief executive Patrick Browne. "The idea was nonsensical and seemed to have been thought up on the back of the proverbial beer mat.

"Unfortunately, however, a number of other licensing boards across Scotland have adopted the Edinburgh 'vertical drinking' idea in their proposed licensing policy statements, therefore we will be contacting these boards to point out the apparent abandonment of this measure by the City of Edinburgh board and expressing the hope that they will also amend their policies by withdrawing the idea."

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