SNP party poopers need to get behind World Cup boost for pub trade

Speaking as he marked St Andrews Day, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has today said that the SNP need to stop being party poopers and get behind his party’s plans for extended licensing for pubs and fan parks for Scotland's World Cup games.

Publicans including the chair of the Glasgow licensing forum, the boss of Edinburgh brewer Innis & Gunn and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association have backed his party’s plans for pubs to get special dispensation to show Scotland's matches in the event that they are scheduled for late at night.

Last Friday, Mr Cole-Hamilton visited the Pear Tree in Edinburgh to pour pints and discuss his plans for using Scotland’s World Cup success to boost the nation’s spirits.

The party is also calling for grassroots sports clubs to be allowed to get involved and for stadiums and parks to host huge screens to beam back the games from the USA, Mexico and Canada.

Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“St Andrews Day is a chance to celebrate all the things that make Scotland great.

“It has been a tough few years for everyone in Scotland. We’ve had a pandemic and a cost of living crisis. Many public services don’t work as well as they used to. But despite these challenges, we should remember that our country produces world-leading science and technology, some of the best food and drink around, famous writers and artists, and now a world class men’s football team.

“Next summer we can turn a corner. Not only will there be a Scottish election, but Scotland will be in our first men’s World Cup finals for almost thirty years and we should be making sure that we throw a real festival of football.

“My party wants to see pubs given special late-night licences to air Scotland’s games if it turns out that the time difference means they happen overnight. Your local grassroots rugby or tennis club should be allowed to open up too because I'm sure their members would pack them out, even at 2am. And for games earlier in the day, let's get massive screens in parks and stadiums big and small.

“The SNP need to stop being party poopers and get behind our plans for extending pub opening hours. This would be a welcome boost for our hospitality industry and the Scottish economy and a chance to bring the whole country together.”