No general extension for Moray pubs to open for Coronation
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Moray's pubs and bars won't get a blanket extension to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III or the women’s football world cup.
Instead licence holders will have to make individual applications if they want to open for longer.
The UK Government has already taken the decision to extend opening hours in England and Wales for the coronation to 1am on Saturday May 6 as well as the Sunday and Monday.
The matter lies with individual authorities in Scotland, and it was discussed by Moray council's licensing board yesterday.
Both occasions are seen as special events that a general extension to opening hours can be apply.
Police Scotland has objected to that as the coronation will be held during the day when premises would already be open.
The women’s world cup is being held in Australia and New Zealand during July and August this year.
With some matches kicking off as early as 3am, there are concerns over the ability to police premises if there was a blanket extension.
Sean Hoath, legal advisor to the board, advised that if a significant number of occasional licences were applied for it could both have an impact both on staff time and increase costs to the board.
Members unanimously agreed that individual applications should be made for each licensed premises if they wanted to open extra hours to mark either event.
