Fife pubs get green light for World Cup games, but doubts over fanzone plans
Fifers will be able to watch Scotland – and England – play their World Cup matches in the pub after an extension of licensed hours was agreed.
Fife Licensing Board has agreed to allow premises to stay open until half an hour after games involving the two sides come to an end.
The same policy will be in place for quarter finals, semi finals and final with venues also able to apply for specific other matches if there is “clear local demand or community interest.”
But, not all premises will be eligible for the later opening hours. They must currently be authorised to provide televised sport/entertainment and guidance will also encourage businesses to have some form of ticketing system in operation.
Councillor Carol Lindsay put forward the proposals agreed by the board. She said: “It is about striking the right balance. We recognise the World Cup is a significant event and it is important the licensed trade is supported and people have the opportunity to come together safely to watch key matches.
“The motion prioritises fixtures involving Scotland and England where we can expect the greatest level of attendances. Individual premises will have the option to apply for extended hours for other matches.”
Kimberley Langley, depute clerk to Licensing Board, said there was “no obligation” for premises to take advantage of the extended hours.
She continued: “Any person who is taking advantage would have to comply with any conditions on their current licence.”
She told board members that, at present, no applications had been lodged for fan zones and confirmed that a repeat of Dunfermline Athletic’s Euros screenings would not be taking place.
“Dunfermline are not doing it. They did it in the Euros and it was a success but they have decided that because of where they are situated where there are so many local residents, it could cause disruption.
“I have seen on social media that the ice ink in Kirkcaldy is looking to operate and that will require applications. If it wants a licence for more than the current capacity, it will require to come before us.
“It Is six weeks for an occasional licence. It will have to go through the process. I would strongly encourage the rink to put an application in as soon as possible. We have had not correspondence apart from a very early application that we had to reject because it didn’t come from the licence holder.”
Board convener, Councillor Tom Adams, said the decision would lay the foundations for future events.
“This is the first that I can remember that we as a board have had to deal with anything like this,” he said.
“We are locking down something for the future as well here. We will never please everyone. There are always going to be licensed premises complain about us making a decision and you will get licensed premises happy with the decision. It is a fair and balanced decision that we are making.”
Scotland’s opening fixture will kick off at 2:00am on June 14 when they face Haiti. Their other two group games will take place on June 19 and 24 when they will be up against Morocco and Brazil. The latter games both have an 11pm start.