A lawyer has claimed that Robert Burns may have been the ‘first licensing standards officer’ as he sought to persuade councillors to grant a licensing application to the museum that celebrates his life.
Stephen McGowan, one of the country’s leading licensing solicitors, was representing the National Trust for Scotland, which operates the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway.
He said the application was principally about updating the wording of the current licence to reflect current policy and legislation across the National Trust’s properties.
Mr McGowan said: “They wish to change a couple of bits and bobs here and there. It is pretty much a tidying up exercise. Hopefully there is nothing in there that your honours see as controversial or difficult. ”
He then took the opportunity to air his theory around Robert Burns.
He said: “I think Robert Burns may be the first licensing standards officer.
“He was, after all, an exciseman and he did go around collecting money from license holders, so he may well be the first ever licensing standards officers.”
He added, telling current licensing standards officer Catriona Andrew, ‘there is a legacy for you!’
One change sought to include the sentence: “Children and young persons will be permitted access at management discretion.”
Councillors questioned the wording, which was different to the usual terminology used in South Ayrshire licensing.
Mr McGowan said: “I think your honours will know premises of this nature attract families and tourists, with people of all ages and places.”
He indicated that the wording was used given the ‘unique’ nature of the venue and that the prospect of people being asked to leave the museum was low.
Councillors questioned whether the wording was fit for purpose.
Ms Andrew suggested that the wording used in South Ayrshire would generally involve an outline of the circumstances in which children would be allowed on a licensed premises.
Mr McGowan said that the applicant would be happy to accept amended wording.
The board agreed to change the wording to stipulate ‘children must be accompanied by an adult, for consumption of food, to attend functions or events or for making use of the museum and all facilities’.
Other variations included seeking seasonal variations, such as longer hours during the festive season, the inclusion of gaming and sports in the premises activities, allowing activities but no alcohol before core licensing hours without an extension, and outlining the use of the property as a visitor attraction and a private hire space for events.
Councillor William Grant, chairman of the licensing board, welcomed the application, describing the museum as a brilliant asset for South Ayrshire.
The application was approved.
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