Over 50 pubs and bars in Glasgow city centre are seeking permission to open until 1am under a new pilot scheme.
The city’s licensing board will consider applications from 55 premises when it meets on Friday.
Pubs and bars currently have to shut at midnight but the one-year pilot project has been planned to test 1am closures in the city centre.
New opening hours would not come into effect immediately. An exact date has yet to be confirmed but the scheme is set to start this summer.
The change brings Glasgow’s opening times in line with those in Edinburgh city centre. It was pushed for by the city’s SNP group ahead of the Licensing Board unveiling a new policy statement in November last year.
Speaking at the time, council leader Susan Aitken, SNP, said the move could “give many businesses a shot in the arm” following the pandemic.
Following the call for an extension, some industry figures doubted whether it would help. They raised concerns over increased costs and staffing issues faced by the trade as well as a lack of public transport for customers.
However, Cllr Aitken said the pilot would “allow the city and the trade to decide whether there is the market demand for an extra hour”. It will also assess whether there are “any impacts on public health and anti-social behaviour”.
The board’s policy statement outlined a list of criteria that applicants would need to meet to receive a 1am licence variation. It also urges licensees to recognise the need for staff who work late to get home safely.
A licensing board spokesman said: “All applications will be determined by the merits of each individual case.”
The following pubs, bars and locations will be considered for a 1am licence on Friday:
The Steps Bar, Glassford Street
Henglers Circus, Sauchiehall Street
The Counting House, George Square
Jacksons, Cambridge Street
Hootenanny, Howard Street
Toby Jug, Hope Street
The Society Rooms, George Street
The Sir John Moore, Argyle Street
The Crystal Palace, Jamaica Street
214 Bath Street (Tiki Bar & Kitsch Inn)
Pot Still, Hope Street
Delmonica’s, Virginia Street
Beresford, Sauchiehall Street
Drouthy’s, Queen Street
Maltman, Renfield Street
Molly Malone’s, Hope Street
Scotia Bar, Stockwell Street
Tingle Bar, Mitchell Street
State Bar, Holland Street
Variety Bar, Sauchiehall Street
Babbity Bowster, Blackfriars Street
Katie’s, John Street
71 Renfield Street (Gin71)
The Merchant, West George Street
Home, Albion Street
The Ark, North Frederick Street
All Bar One, St Vincent Street
Revolution Bar, Renfield Street
Nico’s, Sauchiehall Street
Underground, John Street
36 Renfield Street (Revolución de Cuba)
89 Glassford Street
Blackfriars, Bell Street
Imperial Bar, Howard Street
Alfredo’s, West Nile Street
The Smokin’ Fox, Waterloo Street
Waterloo Bar, Argyle Street
Tabac, Mitchell Lane
Chinaski’s, North Street
Yes Bar, Drury Street
Gallaghers, Howard Street
Times Square, St Enoch Square
Ross’s Bar, Mitchell Street
Malones, Sauchiehall Lane
13th Note, King Street
The Press Bar, Albion Street
81-85 Renfield Street (The Raven)
Dows Bar, Dundas Street
The Irish Rover, Sauchiehall Street
Drury Street Bar & Kitchen, Renfield Street/Drury Street
263 Renfrew Street
Pipeworks, Metropole Lane
Flight Club, George Street
The Alchemist, George Square
Sexy Coffee, Union Street
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