Training courses in place to support Scotland’s licensed trade through new legislation, says Tods Murray
Leading independent legal firm, Tods Murray, is holding a series of training courses to support Scotland’s licensed trade comply with new legislative changes, which insist that licensed premises are managed by a personal licence holder.
New figures reveal that less than half of Scotland’s 17,000 pubs, clubs and hotels have so far applied for the necessary personal licenses, leaving thousands facing closure if the position doesn’t change drastically by the 1 September deadline.
Stephen McGowan one of the firm’s licensing experts and an accredited trainer, launched the training courses this month. On completing the course delegates will sit the exam for the required BII Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. He said,
“If an individual has not been nominated on the licence as the manager, then come 1 September the premises cannot sell alcohol, and if the nomination is not completed by 1 December the licence is revoked altogether and the pub will close.
“Thousands could be affected – as you must first have the appropriate training and a personal licence before you go through this nomination.”
The new legislation also calls for every staff member who works in the licensed trade to undergo an agreed level of training, adding to the licence holders’ duties. If premises are found to be in breach of this law, it is the licence holder who is accused of committing the offence.
Stephen continued:
“It is my experience that although a number of pubs have diligently applied for a premises licence, they have not realised there are several further steps to take before they are allowed to sell alcohol and operate their businesses.
“This ‘knowledge gap’ could have disastrous consequences. I am certain that some pubs will be forced to close, either because they do not have the correct licences in place, or because managers are not properly qualified.
“Our training courses are designed to ease some of the pressures by ensuring that Scotland’s hospitality industry is prepared.”
The Tods Murray Personal License Holder Training courses are launched this month (June). They cost £130 per person to attend and will take place at Tods Murray’s Edinburgh office. On completing the course delegates will sit the exam for the BII Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders. For more information and to book a place visit /briefings.htm or call 0141 243 4567.
Notes to Editors
1. Tods Murray is a leading independent Scottish law firm, dedicated to providing first rate, innovative and commercially aware specialist advice to companies, institutions and organisations, within both the private and public sectors, and to families, individuals and charities.
2. Tods Murray has offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow and has over 40 partners.
3. Stephen McGowan is the author of "Licensing and Gambling Law in Scotland" (2009) and won the highly prestigious “Chairman’s Award” at the Scottish Legal Awards in 2008 for his contributions to licensing law.
4. For further information on the Tods Murray Personal Licence Holder Training or to book a place, please visit: /business-briefings/tods-murray-llp-personal-licence-holder-training.htm
5. For further information please contact: Elizabeth Lambley / Ed Peel, Indigo 0131 554 1230