The Scottish Borders Licensing Board met on Friday 18 September 2026 to consider a new premises licence application for Gala Tandoori in Galashiels and to review the Chief Constable's annual report. The Board granted the premises licence for Gala Tandoori and noted the contents of the Chief Constable's report.

Chief Constable's Report - Scottish Borders Licensing Report 2025-2026

The Board reviewed the Chief Constable's annual report for the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The report detailed policing activities related to licensing across the Scottish Borders. It highlighted that there were 433 licensed premises in the area, the same as the previous year. The report noted an increase in demand on police resources during the summer months due to events such as common ridings and rugby tournaments. Police Scotland conducted 213 inspections of licensed premises during the year.

The report also detailed crime statistics, indicating 111 crimes of violence recorded in licensed premises across 67 locations in the Scottish Borders during 2025-26. Repeat locations for these incidents included Wetherspoons on High Street, Galashiels (12 crimes), Tesco on Paton Street, Galashiels (seven crimes), and Nightclub Base on Baker Street, Hawick (eight crimes). Additionally, 32 crimes were committed within supermarkets licensed to sell alcohol. The report also noted a decrease in anti-social behaviour incidents compared to previous years.

The report outlined proposed activities for the upcoming year, including continued collaboration with partner agencies to meet licensing objectives, efficient processing of applications, and proactive inspections of licensed premises. It also highlighted the anticipated increase in footfall in the night-time economy due to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the commitment to ensuring public safety and minimising alcohol-related harm.

Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005: Application for Grant of Premises Licence

The Board considered an application for a Grant of Premises Licence for Abeerah Limited, trading as Gala Tandoori, located at 36 Market Street, Galashiels, TD1 3AA. The premises, a terraced building on the corner of Market Street and Overhaugh Street, operates as a restaurant and includes reception, seating, kitchen, storage, and toilet areas. The application sought to sell alcohol on and off the premises.

The proposed licensed hours were Monday to Sunday, 11:00 am to 12:00 am for on-sales and 11:00 am to 10:00 pm for off-sales. No representations were received from Police Scotland, the Licensing Standards Enforcement Officer, or Health.

Mr Mike Wynne, Licensing Standards and Enforcement Officer, explained that Gala Tandoori had relocated to these premises, which had previously operated as a restaurant but were not licensed. He noted that the applicant, Mr Amir Hossain, had considerable experience in the licensed trade and that the application complied with policy. The premises had previously operated under occasional licences without issue. Police Scotland raised no objections.

The applicant, Mr Amir Hossain, stated that he had operated the business since 2019 and had recently moved to more suitable premises requiring a premises licence.

Decision: The Board agreed to grant the application.