Nightclub curfew consultation launched
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SCRAPPING the "Cinderella curfew" at a Thurso nightclub is necessary to benefit all licensed premises in the town, according to a Caithness councillor.
Highland licensing board member Willie Mackay has welcomed the launch of a consultation into considering scrapping the midnight curfew on entering licensed premises in Inverness or extending it across the Highlands.
If the curfew is axed in Inverness, it is believed it will also be dropped at Skinandi’s which does not allow customers in after midnight.
Mr Mackay said the curfew is not good for business in Thurso and welcomed the consultation to allow the public to have their say.
"The curfew at Skinandi’s has had an effect on pubs in the town centre where customers have emptied these premises just to get entry to the nightclub.
"If the curfew was to be scrapped, or extended by at least an hour, I think it would give the public more option where they choose to socialise.
"The bar trade has suffered because of it and I hope that as a result of the consultation new measures can be introduced to benefit the bar trade in the town.
"Now is the time for the board to take into serious consideration the public’s views."
The curfew in Inverness was originally introduced in 2003 at the request of Northern Constabulary in an attempt to combat alcohol-fuelled crime.
The Highland licensing board is consulting widely over a review of its policy governing door entry to nightclubs which require admission by midnight.
It is inviting representations on whether the policy should continue and, if so, whether it should be extended throughout the Highlands.
The deadline for responses is 5pm on Friday, September 14.
