Will pubs in your area be open later for the Euros?

This summer Germany will be hosting a football extravaganza with the European Championships set to take place between June 14 and July 14.

Tens of thousands of Tartan Army diehards are set to make the trip, with or without match tickets, to soak up the atmosphere and support Scotland in their games against the hosts, Switzerland and Hungary.

But for those left at home and supporting Steve Clarke’s men from afar it could mean a late night out with all three of the national team’s group stage games starting at 8pm.

Once the half-time break and injury-time is taking into account, games will be finishing not far off 10pm.

And if John McGinn, Andy Robertson and the rest of the squad manage to do what no Scotland side has ever done before – by reaching the knockout stages – then it could get even later, with half of the last-16 games, half of the quarter-finals and both semi-finals all kicking off at 8pm with potential extra-time and penalties.

It was revealed on Wednesday that pubs in England and Wales will be allowed to stay open later than usual if any of the home nations reach the semi-finals to allow fans time to celebrate or drown their sorrows after such big games.

But in Scotland it will be down to each local authority if they extend opening times for Scotland fans if they reach the latter stages.

STV asked each council what plans it had in place for the Euros.

Glasgow

A Glasgow licensing board spokesperson said: “We have no plans at this stage for an overall extension to opening hours during the European Championships in Germany.

“Times for matches fall within current opening hours, which provides for all city pubs to open until 12 midnight.

“Any premises can apply for a temporary extension to their hours and any applications will be considered on the individual merits of the request.

“We’ve no applications for an extension at this time.”

Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Council said there is no blanket policy and each individual licensed premises will need to apply for a late license and that will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Aberdeen

An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: “It has been agreed by the Aberdeen City Licensing Board that for the duration of the 2024 European Championships the showing of matches, together with commentary, will be permitted in external areas.

“Additionally, if the match goes to extra time or a penalty shoot-out which results in the game continuing past the terminal hour of the external area (10pm), this may be extended until the conclusion of the match.

“This relaxation only applies to premises who hold a Premises Licence and holders are expected to take all measures necessary to ensure that this doesn’t result in any disturbances or cause nuisance to local residents.”

East Dunbartonshire

East Dunbartonshire Licensing Board does not currently have plans to extend hours for the tournament, but would consider any individual applications for an extension from a licensed premises based on its merits.

West Lothian

A West Lothian Council spokesperson said: “Pubs can currently open until 1am Thursdays to Saturdays and midnight the rest of the week under the current local licensing board policy.

“Any premises wishing to seek details on potentially extending their opening hours can find information on the West Lothian Council website.”

East Lothian

An East Lothian Council spokesperson said: “There are no current plans in East Lothian for an extension of hours. Our understanding is that most matches would finish within normal opening times.”

Highlands

Highland Council said any application for late opening hours during the Euros will be judged on its merits and assessed against policy.

Stirling

Stirling Council said it is not currently considering a general extension to licenced hours for the Euros, however it said that individual premises can apply for an extension which would be considered by the Licencing Board.

Shetland Islands

Shetland Islands Area Licensing Board hasn’t received any applications at this time and there are currently no plans to allow pubs to open later for Scotland games.

Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire Council, which normally allows pubs to remain open until midnight from Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, hasn’t agreed a general extension of licensed hours for the Euros, but said any licensed premises would be able to apply for extended hours if they wished.

North Lanarkshire

A North Lanarkshire Council spokesperson said: “Under Section 67 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, the Licensing Board can grant occasional extended trading hours for a special event of local or national significance, examples include Christmas, New Year and the Coronation.

“Licensed premises can also apply for temporary extended hours. This has not been considered for the Euros yet but a decision can be made by the Board at a convened hearing.”

South Ayrshire

A South Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “The Licensing Board has not made a general extension of licensed hours for Euro 24.

“Applications for extended hours would be considered on a case-by-case basis, in line with the Board’s general policy on extended hours.”

Aberdeenshire

Aberdeenshire Council said an occasional extension of licensing hours is considered appropriate for special events of local or national significance and it will be up to the licence holders to apply for occasional extension of licensing hours, with as much notice as possible and at least six weeks prior to the date requested.

Angus

Angus Licensing Board does not currently have plans to extend hours for the Euro 2024 tournament but would consider any individual applications for an extension from a Licensed Premises and determine that based on its merits and in accordance with its Statement of Licensing Policy.

Inverclyde

Inverclyde licensing board has not received any applications or enquiries from premises looking to apply for an extension to opening hours, but stated that licensing boards do have the power to grant blanket extensions for special events of local or national significance, such as the local festive season policy which is put in place each year.

Moray

Moray Council said it will depend on demand whether its Licensing Board will ask about a general extension.

Many premises in the area already have licences that allow them to open up to or beyond 1am, particularly at weekends.

If demand is low then individual premises can always apply for extended hours, to account for their particular circumstances/events, and those will be considered, the council said.

Fife

The Licensing Board in Fife does not have plans to extend licensed hours for the tournament but would consider any individual applications for an extension to licensed hours from Premise Licence Holders based on their merits.

Currently most premises in Fife operate with a midnight or 1am terminal hour which would allow for the scheduled later games that kick-off at 8pm to run through the normal course of a game and allow the additional time should it go to extra time and penalties.

Orkney

Orkney Islands Council said individual premises can apply for extended hours, or Licensing Boards can make a General Extension for extended hours.

No enquiries from any premises or licensees about having extended hours for the Euro 2024 has been received, so the council has made no report to the Board on a General Extension.

They also presently have no individual applications to consider.