The Licensing Board of Aberdeen City Council met on Tuesday 22 September 2026 to consider a range of applications for premises licences, provisional premises licences, and major variations to existing licences. The board also reviewed an occasional licence application, personal licence applications, and a premises licence review.

Application for Premises Licence - Kultura, 47 Belmont Street, Aberdeen

The board was scheduled to consider an application for a premises licence for Kultura, located at 47 Belmont Street, Aberdeen. The report pack indicated that Kultura is a restaurant with a bar in the city centre, offering on and off-sales of alcohol. The proposed activities included conference facilities, bar and restaurant services, receptions, and live performances, with recorded music also planned. A take-away facility was also to be available, with a capacity of 113 people. The application had received representations from the Licensing Standards Officer (LSO) and Police Scotland. The applicant had agreed to the imposition of conditions related to delivery drivers, a drugs policy, duty of care, and CCTV. The report pack outlined the grounds for refusal under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which the board would consider in determining the application.

Application for Provisional Premises Licence - Pitstop, 128-130 John Street, Aberdeen

An application for a provisional premises licence for Pitstop, located at 128-130 John Street, Aberdeen, was scheduled for discussion. Pitstop was described as a convenience store offering off-sales of alcohol only, with alcohol sales restricted to core hours. The premises had a capacity of 17.726 square metres. An LSO representation had been received, and the applicant had agreed to conditions regarding duty of care and CCTV. The report pack detailed the grounds for refusal under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Application for Provisional Premises Licence - The Pearl Lounge, 16 Dee Street, Aberdeen

The board was set to consider a provisional premises licence application for The Pearl Lounge, located at 16 Dee Street, Aberdeen. This venue was described as a multi-purpose event space offering on-sales of alcohol only. The proposed activities were extensive, including restaurant and bar meals, conference facilities, receptions, club meetings, recorded and live music, dance performances, theatre, gaming, indoor/outdoor sports, and televised sports. The premises had a significant capacity of 1,021 persons. The application had received a Police Scotland representation, a Building Standards representation, and 33 public objections. The applicant had agreed to conditions related to a drugs policy, duty of care, door supervisors, late opening, and CCTV. The report pack detailed the grounds for refusal under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, and included extensive objections from residents and local businesses raising concerns about noise, public nuisance, crime and disorder, public safety, and the suitability of the premises for late-night operation in a residential area.

Application for Provisional Premises Licence - Smoke & Soul at The Old Smiddy, Murcar, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen

An application for a provisional premises licence for Smoke & Soul at The Old Smiddy, Murcar, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen, was scheduled for review. This was described as a local, family-run venue serving food and drinks, including brunch, BBQ, coffee, and cakes, with both internal and external areas. The proposed activities included restaurant and bar meals, conference facilities, receptions and meetings, recorded music, live performances, and televised sports. The premises had a capacity of 140 persons (70 internal and 70 external). There were four public objections and a Building Standards representation. The applicant had agreed to conditions related to delivery drivers, a drugs policy, duty of care, and outdoor drinking areas. The report pack outlined the grounds for refusal under the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Application for Major Variation - Molly Malones, 224 Union Street, Aberdeen

The board was to consider a major variation application for Molly Malones, located at 224 Union Street, Aberdeen. The proposed variations included amendments to core hours, extending opening times on Fridays and Saturdays and altering terminal hours. Additionally, the description of the premises was to be amended to reflect its status as a late-night venue, and a local condition regarding door supervisors was to be modified. A single public objection was noted.

Application for Major Variation - Tesco Store, 501 Union Street, Aberdeen

A major variation application for Tesco Store at 501 Union Street, Aberdeen, was scheduled. This variation related to amendments to the Operating Plan and Layout Plan following internal layout changes, resulting in an extension to the licensed space from 19.3 square metres to 23.5 square metres. No objections or representations were recorded.

Application for Major Variation - Sainsbury's, 97-99 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen

The board was to consider a major variation application for Sainsbury's at 97-99 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen. This involved amendments to the Operating Plan and Layout Plan to reconfigure shelving, increasing the off-sale capacity from 16.13 square metres to 16.78 square metres. No objections or representations were recorded.

Application for Major Variation - Aberdeen Art Centre, 33 King Street, Aberdeen

A major variation application for the Aberdeen Art Centre, located at 33 King Street, Aberdeen, was scheduled. This application sought an amendment to the Operating Plan to increase the on-sales alcohol times from 11:00 to 10:00 Monday to Saturday, and from 12:30 to 10:00 on Sundays. No objections or representations were recorded.

Occasional Licence Application - 17 to 18 Moir Crescent, Aberdeen

An application for an occasional licence for premises at 17 to 18 Moir Crescent, Aberdeen, was to be considered. The licence was sought for the period of 28 September to 11 October 2026. It was noted that a previous premises licence application for these premises had been refused on 14 April 2026, and subsequent applications for occasional licences had been submitted. An LSO objection was noted, with the applicant having agreed to all police conditions. The board's policy on occasional licences, which generally discourages series of licences for the same premises where a premises licence would be more appropriate, was highlighted.

Application for Personal Licence - Applicant A

The board was scheduled to consider an application for a personal licence for Applicant A. The applicant had not disclosed a conviction on their application form, and the application had been deferred from a previous meeting on 24 June 2026 as the applicant was not in attendance. Police Scotland had made an objection. The report outlined the grounds for refusal under Section 74 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, relating to whether the applicant is a fit and proper person.

Report of Conduct Inconsistent with Licensing Objectives - Personal Licence Holder A

A report concerning the conduct of Personal Licence Holder A was scheduled for discussion. The licence holder had held their licence since 27 June 2024, and Police Scotland had made an objection. The board was to consider whether it was necessary to revoke, suspend, or endorse the personal licence based on conduct inconsistent with the licensing objectives, as outlined in Section 74 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005.

Premises Licence Review - Baltyc Delicatessen

An application for a review of the premises licence for Baltyc Delicatessen, located at 530-532 George Street, Aberdeen, was on the agenda. The application was made by John Philip, a Licensing Standards Officer. The grounds for review cited breaches of mandatory conditions, including alcohol being sold in accordance with the operating plan, the presence of a premises manager, and alcohol not being sold below its minimum unit price. Local conditions regarding the maintenance of an operating CCTV system were also cited. The statement of grounds detailed numerous attempts to contact the licence holder and designated premises manager, and noted that alcohol had been stopped from sale and removed from display.

Proposed Board Dates 2027

The board was to consider proposed dates for its meetings in 2027.

Annual Fees 2026

The matter of annual fees for 2026 was listed for discussion.

Chief Constable's Annual Report and World Cup Update

The board was to receive the Chief Constable's Annual Report for 2025-2026, which included an update on policing related to the Fifa World Cup 2026. The report detailed policing priorities, operational activities, and statistics related to licensed premises and alcohol-related incidents in Aberdeen City. It highlighted the work of the North East Division Licensing Team, including premises inspections, responses to incidents, and partnership working. The report also touched upon efforts to prevent the sale of alcohol to underage individuals and tackle serious and organised crime within the licensed trade. An update on activities during the World Cup, including the limited number of incidents recorded, was also provided.

Licensing Forum Update

A Licensing Forum update was scheduled.

LSO Update

An update from the Licensing Standards Officer (LSO) was to be provided.