The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board convened on 27 August 2025, addressing a range of licensing matters and policy updates. The board approved several premises and major variations of licenses, while also considering a repeated application for an occasional license. They also reviewed the timeline for gambling policy and set future meeting dates.

Licensing Decisions

The board addressed several licensing applications:

• Premises and Provisional Premises Licences: The board approved applications for premises and provisional premises licences, ensuring adherence to local conditions.
• Major Variations of Premises Licences: The board approved major variations to premises licences, incorporating local conditions to align with licensing objectives.
• Repeated Occasional Licence Application: The board considered a repeated application for an occasional licence, a matter that required a hearing due to its nature. The application by Craig Roy for The Whisky Bothy in Stonehaven was for off-sales between 10:00 am and 10:00 pm. The Licensing Standards Officer (LSO) lodged representations, and the board considered the application against its Repeated Applications Policy¹. The board had previously agreed that any future applications lodged by the applicant for dates between 24 July and the Licensing Board on 27 August 2025 would be delegated to the Depute Clerk for consideration, but that any applications for dates beyond 27 August 2025 would be returned to the Board for determination. The Board also asked that future applications be accompanied by layout plans. The board ultimately refused the application.

Licensing Application Details

The board approved several applications for new and varied premises licences:

• North Street Premier Store, Inverurie: Granted a premises licence.
• Ciao Roma Restaurant and Ciao Bella Take-away, Westhill: Granted a premises licence.
• The Captain's Galley, Whitehills: Granted a premises licence.
• Ardennan House Hotel, Inverurie: Granted a major variation of premises licence.
• Asian Kitchen, Inverurie: Granted a major variation of premises licence.
• Hilton Grand Vacations UK Ltd, Ballater: Granted a major variation of premises licence.
• Fife Lodge Hotel, Banff: Granted a major variation of premises licence.
• Teenie & Stams Ltd T/A TSB: Granted a major variation of premises licence.
• Spider on a Bicycle: Granted an occasional licence.
• Burn O Bennie Distillery: Granted an occasional licence.

The board also considered an application for Deja Vu Nightclub in Peterhead. The LSO asked for the Risk Assessment to be updated to provide sufficient detail in respect having a Drugs Policy and a Vulnerability policy. The applicant submitted an amended risk assessment and has been confirmed by the LSO. The SO further requested that the applicant review their position on Family Events and the consumption of alcohol at such events and consider amending their Operating Plan, perhaps with reference to the Section E of the Board's Policy and introduce possible control measures as listed in this Section. The applicant submitted an amended operating plan as confirmed by the LSO. The LSO recommended the following local/specific conditions: • 1 -4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46 *The entertainment to be provided shall be XXX – I would recommend, discotheque and DJ events, bingo and music bingo events, private functions, charity events and similar supporting entertainment as provided in the Operating Plan . Condition 13 provides that this should be defined by the Board on a case-by-case basis – this is simply my recommendation, and the Board may see fit to amend/delete/re-word as necessary. The Licence holder shall ensure that:- • Children and Young Persons will be accompanied by an appropriate adult for private functions and otherwise at children and young person's events only (as per operating plan) • Consideration be given to covering the bar areas/alcohol during Children and Young Persons only events with further consideration to providing an alternative area for the purchase of soft drinks. • Consideration be given to the use of alternatives to glass wherever possible.

The board also considered an application for Ellon Spirits Retail. The LSO asked for the Risk Assessment to be updated to provide sufficient detail in respect of Children and Young Persons exposure to consumption of alcohol. The applicant submitted an amended risk assessment and has been confirmed by the LSO. The Board Policy under Protecting Children and Young Persons from Harm - the LSO advised they could not support Children and Young Persons being present during any on sale activities such as crafting, cocktail making etc whilst the accompanying adults are permitted to consume alcohol The applicant removed children and young persons access from the operating plan for all on sales events in line with the LSO's comments. The LSO has recommended the following local/specific conditions: • 1 -4, 6, 19, 21, 43 , 44 The Licence holder shall ensure that:- • Children and Young Persons are not permitted access to the premises during tasting sessions and events which may include consumption of alcohol. The Planning Service advised that if the tasting sessions are ancillary (i.e. supporting the primary use) to the business as a shop selling alcohol then no planning permission is required. Should the tasting sessions intensify and become more regular and are no longer ancillary to the shop, then planning permission for a mixed retail / sui generis use would be required. The applicant confirmed that tasting sessions are ancillary (i.e. supporting the primary use) to the business as a shop selling alcohol and confirmed that planning permission will be sought should this change.

The board also considered an application for Royal British Legion. The LSO requested that the Operating plan was to be updated to confirm that no more than 6 films are permitted. Additionally, they requested that the wording of 'bar' in section 6 of the operating plan to was to reflect 'public bar' to prevent any potential confusion and in conjunction the layout plan to be updated to confirm no access to under 18s in this area. They requested that applicant update the risk assessment with reference to there not being a current pub watch, however if one is to be started again, then the premises licence holders would become members and to include reference to a duty of care policy. An amended operating plan, layout plan & risk assessment were submitted by the applicant and confirmed by the LSO. The LSO has recommended the following local conditions: • 1 -11, 19, 21 & 38

The board also considered an application for The Buzz And Slap Co. Ltd. The LSO confirmed that the premises are described as a public house and have no restaurant to provide restaurant facilities – only bar meals. Therefore, this activity should be removed. The LSO requested that the children and young person's access should be updated to reflect the requirement of local condition 7 – 'Children under the age of twelve years, shall not have direct access to pool tables, darts boards or gaming machines in any part of the premises to which they have access or are allowed entry& Local condition 18 – Children & Young Persons are not permitted to attend any event involving adult entertainment. The LSO further requested that the operating plan was updated to reflect under 18's will only be permitted until 9pm for the purposes of having a meal, accompanied by adult & for additional clarity that no children under 5 are allowed access to the premises. The LSO noted that the applicant confirmed that if the premises host a private" function, then the premises will be closed to the public (as no private function rooms available) and therefore under 18's will be permitted to remain until terminal hour accompanied by an Adult and requested that the operating plan was updated accordingly. The LSO also requested that the risk assessment was updated in line with the licensing objective for protecting children and young persons from harm in line with the proposal terms & time of access and no access whilst adult entertainment is taking place. Environmental Health advised the applicant that the restaurant must be registered with the Local Authority 28 days prior to opening. Environmental Health also recommended the following local conditions to be applied: - • 5 The applicant has accepted all conditions stated and provided an amended operating plan & risk assessment as approved by the LSO. The applicant has confirmed that the restaurant will be registered with the Local Authority 28 days prior to opening.

Policy and Governance

• Gambling Policy Review: The board received an update on the review of the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Licensing Principles 2025-2028. The consultation period is set to end on 1 October 2025. A draft of the policy can be found here. The board reviewed initial responses, and noted the updated timeline and draft Integrated Impact Assessment. A final report seeking approval of the revised statement will be presented at the 29 October 2025 meeting.
• Meeting Dates 2026-2027: The board approved meeting dates for the committee cycle spanning 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2027, as detailed in Appendix 1 - Proposed Board Dates 20262027. Physical meetings will be held at Woodhill House, Aberdeen, with all meetings commencing at 10:15 am.
• Annual Functions and Finance Report: The board approved the Combined Functions and Finance Report for the year 2024/2025, as required by Sections 9A and 9B of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. The report, along with its statistical supplement, will be published on the board's website and submitted to the Scottish Government. The board noted that due to court costs, the Board has made a loss of £13,481.25.

Public Sector Equality Duty

The board agreed to adhere to Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, ensuring due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relations.

Other Matters

The board approved the minutes from the meeting held on 25 June 2025.