Edinburgh’s licensing board has decided that every single World Cup match deserves extended opening hours, including the 5am kickoffs that could see pubs serving pints past 7 in the morning. Because nothing says responsible licensing policy like breakfast lager.
I understand the impulse. Scotland’s in the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, and folk want to watch it in the pub with other folk. That’s fine. But the board’s gone beyond Scotland games and approved late hours for every match in the tournament.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Louise Young actually made sense when she said:
I have a real concern that we put a message out there to our residents that only the games for our country are important.
The Domestic Violence Question
Green Councillor Chas Booth raised concerns about domestic violence, which is the conversation nobody wants to have but should. Major sporting events correlate with spikes in domestic abuse. That’s documented fact, not moral panic.
Extending pub hours for every World Cup match means more alcohol consumption over a longer period. Police Scotland tried to attach conditions, but apparently those might not be legally enforceable, which makes you wonder what the point of consultation is.
I’m not saying cancel the World Cup or ban pubs. I’m saying maybe we don’t need venues open until 7am on a Tuesday morning for a group stage match between nations nobody’s heard of.
Pick Your Battles
The extension covers all venues with permanent premises licences showing live TV. That’s potentially dozens of pubs, all serving alcohol at dawn for weeks.
Scotland’s games? Absolutely, extend the hours. Let folk celebrate. But every match in the tournament? That’s not supporting Scottish football, that’s just licensing creep dressed up as patriotism.
Edinburgh’s licensing board had a chance to strike a sensible balance. Instead they’ve decided that 5am pints for every World Cup game is somehow good policy. I’ll check back in July and see how that worked out.