New rules from Glasgow city licensing authorities will oblige nightclubs in the center of the city to stop serving drinks in ordinary glass containers by January 2006, or face closure.
Nightclubs wil…
New rules from Glasgow city licensing authorities will oblige nightclubs in the center of the city to stop serving drinks in ordinary glass containers by January 2006, or face closure. Nightclubs will have to use plastic containers, metal cans or toughened glass. All venues throughout the city will be expected to comply within a year. The city“s licensing chief, Councillor Gordon Macdiarmid told assembled members of the trade on 7 October 2005 that the change was needed to cut violent attacks, injuries and even date rapes. And he warned that venues which ignore the rules could have their licence to serve alcohol suspended. A voluntary code has been in practice for the past few years but some nightclubs have been unwilling to participate in the scheme. The city licencing board is concerned at police reports that glass attacks in and around city nightspots are on the increase. The licensing board now believes the only way to make the city safer for revellers is a compulsory policy. Mr Macdiarmid said: “The case for this policy is unanswerable. Health and safety concerns far outweigh any cosmetic or cost considerations”. “Glass is used as a weapon, causing severe injury too often”. A consultation with the trade, police and suppliers is now underway on the implementation of the policy. The policy will come in three phases, the first dealing with city centre venues with entertainment licences, the second, later in 2006, dealing with clubs outside the city centre, and the third focusing on pubs. The board would prefer all venues to switch to plastic but it will allow pubs to use toughened glass. Venues serving food are expected to be allowed to continue serving drinks in ordinary glass, but only in dining areas. Where operators are unable to get beer in plastic bottles they will be obliged to pour it into plastic glasses before serving to customers, or sell drink in cans. But trade representatives have warned the board to proceed carefully or risk the international reputation Glasgow has built up in recent years. Nightclub Forum chief Eddie Tobin warned: “We“ve been extremely supportive of the policy from day one”. “But moving from a voluntary to mandatory policy must be done with the utmost caution”. “To do this would give all the wrong signals about the image of Glasgow”.