The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board met on Wednesday 24 June 2026, granting a provisional premises licence for Della Café and Bistro in Ellon and a major variation to Tesco in Banff. The Board also approved a personal licence application for Adam Crookshank and adopted the Combined Annual Functions and Finance Report for 2025-2026.

Della Café and Bistro, Ellon

The Board considered an application for a provisional premises licence for Della Café and Bistro at 34 Bridge Street, Ellon. An objection had been lodged, but the Board, following officer advice, deemed the objection not competent as it related to planning concerns rather than licensing objectives. Consequently, the objection was not upheld, and the licence was granted.

Tesco, Banff

An application for a major variation of the premises licence for Tesco in Banff was considered. The variation sought a minor increase in alcohol display capacity from 67 square metres to 67.35 square metres. This application was referred to a hearing due to Banff being under a watching brief in the Board's Supplementary Policy 3 regarding over-provision of off-sales premises. The applicant, represented by Hardish Purewal, explained that the increase was a recalculation of space and would not result in additional alcohol on shelves. The Licensing Standards Officer, Sarah Ward, confirmed the increase was minor and did not impact the over-provision statistics. The Board agreed that the applicant had justified a departure from policy due to the minimal nature of the increase and granted the application subject to local conditions.

Adam Crookshank - Personal Licence Application

The Board considered an application for a personal licence for Adam Crookshank. The Chief Constable had lodged a representation due to a relevant foreign offence. Mr Crookshank explained the conviction related to a military offence during a company smoker, stating it was meant in jest and had been blown out of proportion, leading to his discharge from the army. PC James Stewart confirmed the offence was relevant for five years under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 2007. The Board discussed the applicant's failure to declare the conviction on his application form, which Mr Crookshank attributed to a misunderstanding of the law regarding foreign convictions. Following deliberation, the Board granted the personal licence, being satisfied that Mr Crookshank was a fit and proper person.

Combined Annual Functions and Finance Report 2025-2026

Fiona Stewart presented the Combined Annual Functions and Finance Report for the financial year 2025-2026. The report detailed the Board's achievements, compliance with policy and licensing objectives, and financial performance. Ms Stewart highlighted a continued decrease in licence reviews, a testament to the early intervention approach by Licensing Standards Officers and Police Scotland. She also noted an increase in major variations, reflecting changing trading practices and economic pressures. The report indicated a stable financial position, though a significant outstanding legal bill was noted. The Board approved the report, authorised its publication on the Board's website, and its submission to the Scottish Government.

Appointment of Deputy Convenor

Following Councillor Dawn Black's resignation as Deputy Convenor due to her election as an MSP, the Board nominated and appointed Mrs Jenny Nicol as the new Deputy Convenor.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 29 April 2026 were approved as a correct record, subject to a minor correction regarding a missing entry for Mr Mason in a voting table.

Non-Contentious Premises and Provisional Premises Licence Applications

Several non-contentious applications were granted:

• Little Bakery, Bankery: A provisional premises licence was granted for a new supermarket.
• Farm to Table, Laurencekirk: A major variation was granted to amend the layout plan, relocate the alcohol display, and relax children's access.
• Tesco Store, Turriff: A major variation was granted to amend the alcohol capacity and operating plan to reflect trading habits.
• Royal Oak, Duke Street, Huntly: A major variation was granted to add outdoor drinking facilities, amend children's access, and increase capacity. The Board agreed to grant in principle, subject to a specific condition regarding the use of the outdoor area after 10 pm.
• Alford Golf Club: A major variation was granted to extend off-sale hours, reduce on-sale hours on Fridays and Saturdays, add outdoor drinking facilities, and include indoor/outdoor sports as an activity.
• Royal Lochnagar Distillery and Visitor Centre, Balmoral: A variation was granted in principle, pending receipt of an updated off-sale capacity figure, to amend the operating plan to permit gaming and clarify film and guided tour activities.
• Deja Vu Nightclub, Peterhead: A variation was granted in principle, pending receipt of a signed site notice, to include televising sports as an activity.
• Tesco Express, Stonehaven: A major variation was granted to amend the capacity and description of the premises following a store refurbishment.

Hearings

Logie Country House, Pitcaple

An application for a provisional premises licence for Logie Country House was heard, with the focus on conditions 34 and 35 relating to the outdoor drinking area and children's access. The applicant sought a departure from policy to remove or amend these conditions, arguing they were not appropriate for an exclusive wedding venue. The Licensing Standards Officer, Lisa Godini, proposed alternative conditions regarding noise levels and music after 10 pm, and did not recommend condition 35, acknowledging the venue's nature. The Board agreed in principle to remove conditions 34 and 35 and attach the LSO's proposed specific conditions.

Duncano's, Westhill Shopping Centre

A major variation application for Duncano's was heard, primarily concerning the extension of on-sale core hours from 11 am to 10 am daily, which would result in 15 hours of trading on Fridays and Saturdays, exceeding the Board's policy of 14 hours. The applicant, represented by David Scott, argued this was a modest adjustment to accommodate a brunch service and not an extension of late-night drinking. The Licensing Standards Officer, Lisa Godini, raised concerns about exceeding the 14-hour trading recommendation and the lack of a clear purpose for children's presence until the terminal hour. After debate, the Board voted to grant the application in principle, subject to the receipt of a revised operating plan, with six votes for the motion and two for the amendment.

Next Meeting

The date of the next Board meeting was noted as Wednesday, 26 August 2026.