Scotland - Highland - Board drops proposal for the use of plastic 'glasses' in all pubs

A proposal to extend the use of plastic drinks glasses to all pubs in the Highlands has been dropped.  Currently late-opening clubs must serve all beverages in plastic receptacles after 21:00 but the Highland Licensing Board held a public consultation which expired on the 31 July on a plan to extend the rule to all pubs across the region.

The proposed policy though has been rejected in favour of a new policy that will take effect from 1 December.

Under the alternative policy, drinks will have to be served in plastic glasses only in places where the board considers it will improve safety.  Further, premises which already operate with the plastic glasses requirement as a condition of their licence will be able to request that it be removed.

Following on from Boards including Glasgow and Edinburgh, the new policy will also allow pubs and clubs to sell alcohol earlier and for longer on Sundays with the general restriction from noon until midnight on Sundays, being amended to 11am until 1am the following day.

The new licensing policy statement will be fully adopted at either the next meeting of the Board on 1 October or at its meeting on the 5 November with the policy itself coming into effect on 1^st December.