Hamilton minister slams Sunday drinking hours

Jan 28 2010 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A HAMILTON churchman this week condemned changes to licensing laws which allow drink to be bought earlier on Sunday mornings.

Hillhouse Parish Church minister, Rev. David Burt, was speaking after Hamilton Licensing Board agreed to allow another 14 off-sales to open from 10am every day, including Sundays.

Up until last September, stores could not start selling alcohol until 12.30pm on a Sunday.

However, the introduction of new laws in September stipulated that drink could not be sold until 10am each day.

Although, the change restricted drink sales hours Monday to Saturday, it has meant that drink could be bought earlier on a Sunday.

On Monday, the licensing board granted a further 14 applications from stores across Hamilton, Blantyre and Larkhall to begin selling alcohol at 10am on a Sunday.

They are: Aldi, Wellhall Road, Hamilton; Booker Ltd, Bothwell Road, Hamilton; Botterills, Birkhall Road, Hamilton; both Botterills stores in Stonefield Road, Blantyre; Botterills, Drygate Street, Larkhall; Botterills, Dunnet Court, West Craigs; Botterills, Neilsland Road, Hamilton; Botterills, Coatshill Avenue, Blantyre; Farm Road Grocers, Farm Road, Burnbank; Filipetti Ltd, Wellhall Road, Hamilton; Londis store, Clarkwell Road, Hamilton; Morrisons supermarket, New Park Street, Hamilton; Shop ‘n’ Save, Fernslea Avenue, Blantyre.

The decision angered Rev. Burt who said the move to change Sunday licensing hours was at odds with the bid to curb alcoholism.

He said: “It seems totally crazy. On the one hand, you have the Scottish Government trying to do something about cheap alcohol and anti-social behaviour, while on the other, you have local authorities almost encouraging longer drinking hours.

“It’s just nonsense. Isn’t there already enough time in the day to buy alcohol without the need to have extended hours on Sunday mornings?”

A spokesman for South Lanarkshire Council pointed out drinking hours had been reduced by 7.5 hours during the week. He said: “From September 1, 2009, the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 completely changed the licensing law in Scotland. Previously, premises selling alcohol for consumption off the premises were entitled to sell alcohol from 8am Monday to Saturday and from 12.30pm on a Sunday. This has now been restricted to 10am Monday to Sunday.”