New Scottish Licensing Laws

[Rickwood Portpatrick]

Does anyone out there own a B&B or Guest House with a drinks licence?

As you will know, restricted hotel licences are being done away with and owners of businesses such as ours have either to forfeit their licence, ask guests to "byo" (bring your own wine etc) or or apply ( at substantial expense) for a full drinks licence.

Application for a full licence involves applying for a personal licence, going on a course, getting drawings done of your Guest House --( all one off costs) and last but not least, applying for a premises licence at a substantial annual cost.

I was chatting with a fellow guest house owner earlier today who thought he had read somewhere recently that a relaxation had been proposed for businesses such as ours but he could not remember where he had read this or the details!

Does anyone know of this development or is it just wishful thinking?

Fred Findlay
Rickwood House
Portpatrick

 

[Brian McIntosh]

My wife and I were looking to buy a B&B and we were surprised that we would need a drinks licence to serve guests free drink. I'll be watching this thread with interest.

 

[Rickwood Portpatrick]

Hi Snapper

As far as I know, you would not require a licence to provide free drink - it would only apply if you charge for it

While we don`t make a lot from selling alcohol, we would be reluctant to advertise that we supply free drink! I imagine you had in mind a complimentary sherry or dram on arrival. Thing is, we do evening meals and it can be a litre of wine at times which I am not inclined to do free of charge!

Fred

 

[Brian McIntosh]

Hi Fred,

I did a bit of research on the subject and you definitely need an alcohol licence to give away booze in a B&B or guest house. Some of the ones we viewed were leaving complimentary drinks in the rooms unaware they were breaking the lew. Quite what the punishment for breaking it is, I don't know.