Glasgow’s hospitality venues could see license fees suspended

Depute leader, councillor David McDonald, has asked Ministers agree a moratorium on payments for the coming year as the local authority extends licenses for outdoor venues for another six months.

At a full council meeting Labour leader councillor Malcolm Cunning asked what discussions were being had with the Scottish Government, the night-time economy commission, and other partners about economic support for the sector.

Council leader Susan Aitken said: “In recent days we have extended licenses for venues serving outdoors for another six months and streamlined the process for places such as nightclubs to change their use to give them the opportunity to adapt while the restrictions remain in place.

“We are also finalising a scheme on licensing fee discounts for the next 12 months. Councillor McDonald has been in touch with Scottish Ministers including a request for a moratorium on fees for the year ahead and also that leisure and hospitality be placed alongside culture, tourism and retail at the heart of recovery.

“Much of the response in dealing with the pandemic has rested with the UK government so we have urged Scottish Ministers to accelerate any dialogue with their UK counterparts regarding ongoing interventions.

“We are currently working with the Chamber of Commerce over what the City Centre including the night time economy will require for it’s ongoing recovery.”

Councillor Cunning said that he would like reassurances that helping nightclubs would be a priority as businesses in the industry had raised concerns with him.

He said: “I hear everything that is being said but there is still a strong feeling within the sector that they [nightclubs] have been the first to close and maybe the last to open and their voices are not being heard strongly enough.”

Due to the time restrictions Councillor Aitken was asked to respond in writing which she agreed to.