Here is a summary of the agenda for the City of Edinburgh Licensing Board meeting on 25 August 2025, based on the public reports pack.

The Licensing Board was scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including financial reports, a report from the Chief Constable, licensing processes, and several licensing applications and reviews.

Chief Constable's Report

The Licensing Board was scheduled to consider the Chief Constable's Annual Licensing Report for 2024/25. The report included an overview of Police Scotland's licensing activities, with a focus on:

• Scrutiny of serious incidents linked to licensed premises.
• Campaigns addressing issues arising from alcohol consumption, particularly among young people.
• Development of the Inn Keeper National ICT Licensing System to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

The report also highlighted local policing priorities for Edinburgh Division, including reducing crime, improving community wellbeing, reducing drug harm, maximising public safety and road safety. It noted that these priorities are often linked to alcohol consumption.

The report stated that there were 7,052 personal licence holders and 2,004 premises licences in the City of Edinburgh Council area as of 31 March 2025. This was an increase of 758 personal licence holders and 16 additional premises licences from the previous year.

The report stated that Edinburgh Division's licensing team processed 5,591 occasional licence applications in the period 2024-2025, an increase from 5,261 the previous year. The report noted that this trend results in a considerable amount of police time being allocated when considering occasional licences.

The report also detailed the work of Operation Nightguard, a dedicated police operation to keep the city safe during the night-time economy¹, and the use of Think Twice bail conditions to prevent individuals charged with offences linked to licensed premises from re-entering those premises.

The report noted that Edinburgh Division carried out 974 inspections of licensed premises, an increase of 49% from the previous year. It also detailed the use of intervention plans for premises not upholding licensing objectives, and applications for review of licences under sections 36 and 84 of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005².

The report highlighted partnership working with various organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council, the Licensing Forum, NHS and Ambulance service, and Community Alcohol Partnerships. It also detailed activities aimed at preventing the sale or supply of alcohol to children or young people, including the It'll Cost You campaign.

Finally, the report outlined proposed activities for the year ahead, including scrutinising applications, working with Licensing Standards Officers, supporting Community Alcohol Partnerships, engaging with organisers of large-scale events, and liaising with licensed premises to deliver training and promote a safe culture.

Financial Matters

The Licensing Board was asked to approve the terms of the annual financial reports for 2023/24 and 2024/25, fulfilling its statutory duties under Section 9B of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005. The report provided information on the Licensing Board's income, expenditure, and financial pressures.

The report noted that the principal expenditure of the Board relates to staff employed by the Council to support its functions. It also highlighted that staffing costs for Licensing Officers and Licensing Standards Officers had been lower than expected due to vacancies, but that recruitment remains a challenge.

The report stated that the reserve at the end of the period covered by the report stood at £590k, but that this amount has to be considered against a number of potential financial pressures, including reduced vacancies, the continued increase in the number of occasional licences, the outstanding need for a new ICT system, and the costs for supporting Board meetings.

Licensing Board Processes

The Licensing Board was asked to consider potential changes to its procedures to improve accessibility and transparency. This included:

• Drafting a set of operational standing orders for the Licensing Board.
• Consulting on expanding the use of webcasting of meetings. Currently, only the first section of Board Meetings is webcast.
• Documenting the process for development of future statements of policy or amendments to existing statements of policy.
• Reviewing the level of information that can be made available to the public, and ensuring a clear and accessible public record of the votes by each member on the Board.
• Reviewing the advice and support for members of the public attending a meeting of the Licensing Board.

The report noted that applications considered by the Board often include sensitive personal information and material which is commercially sensitive, and that there might be a detrimental effect on the individuals and businesses concerned if such material was placed in the public domain in a direct and permanent manner.

Business Bulletin

The Licensing Board was scheduled to note the Business Bulletin, which provided an update on licensing performance in July 2025. This included data on the number of liquor licence applications received and considered, as well as information on annual premises licence fees and licensing standards.

The Business Bulletin stated that 597 liquor licence applications were received between 1 July and 31 July 2025, representing 27% of all applications received by the Licensing Service last month.

The Business Bulletin also provided an update on the task of issuing invoices to 1,995 full premises licence holders, which commenced on 18 August. Officers expected to complete invoicing using the Council's Apex software by Monday 25 August, with the total amount invoiced exceeding £940,000.

Applications and Referrals

The Licensing Board was scheduled to consider a number of applications for major variations, new provisional premises licences, and occasional licence referrals. These included:

• A continued application from Mr William Dick for 200 Dalkeith Road to vary the operating plan to allow children and young people aged 0-17 to be allowed in the premises under certain conditions.
• A continued application from Great Grog Shop Limited for 61 Pleasance to reinstate part of the building into the licensed area, add on sales, and permit access by Children and Young Persons in the shop if they are accompanied by an adult customer.
• An application from Robert Graham Limited for 194a Rose Street to include the premises at 196 Rose Street within the licensed area, add on sales, and permit access by Children and Young Persons. There was one public objection to this application.
• An application from Cairnsouth Limited for 97 Shandwick Place to amend the rules on access for children and young persons and reduce the capacity of the premises. There was one public objection to this application.
• An application from Du Vin Bouchers Ltd for 51 Thistle Street to add on sales, permit childrens access and live music, and reduce the existing off sales alcohol display area/capacity.
• An application from Marco's Leisure Ltd for 11 New Market Road to amend the commencement hour to 9am Monday to Saturday.
• An application from PHH Haymarket Ltd for 90 Haymarket Terrace to amend the operating plan, including off sales Sunday opening times, outdoor drinking facilities, and access for children and young persons.
• An application from Best Pub Ever Ltd for 24 Mitchell Street to amend the operating plan, including club or other group meetings, live performances, and access for children and young persons.
• An application from Great 39 Property Ltd for 39 Great Junction Street to amend on sale and off sale hours, add bar meals as an activity, and permit access for children and young persons. There were five public objections to this application.
• An application from Pizzaconnection Ltd for 17 Main Street, Balerno to change the name of the premises to Nat' A' Napoli, add on sales, add seasonal variations, and welcome children and young persons.
• An application from Ms Pinar Genc for 8 St Mary's Street to commence on sales from 9am Monday to Saturday. There was one public objection to this application.
• An application from Mrs Batool Zohra for 41 South Trinity Road to commence licensed hours on a Sunday from 10am, increase licensed hours to 10pm each day, and add recorded music, deliveries, and takeaways as additional activities.
• An application from Caledonian Heritable Ltd for 5-7 Restalrig Road to amend the operating plan to provide club or other group meetings and live performances during core licensed hours.
• An application from Caru Spirits Ltd for Arch 2, 3 East Market Street for a brandy/wine bar with external licensed area.
• An application from Enoteca Scotland Limited for 77a George Street for a restaurant/bar facility.
• An application from Enoteca (Sugo George Street) Limited for 80b George Street for a restaurant/bar.
• An application from Sainsbury's SL Limited for 18-19 Princes Street for a supermarket.
• Occasional Licence Applications for 37a-37b Warrender Park Road, 250-252 Leith Walk and 49-51 Causewayside.

Provisional Period Extension Requests

The Licensing Board was asked to consider applications to extend the duration of provisional premises licences for 3 Elm Row and 37a-37b Warrender Park Road.

Premises Licence Review Hearings

The Licensing Board was scheduled to hold premises licence review hearings for 7 Piershill Place, 437 Gorgie Road and 21-23 Marionville Road. The applications for review had been submitted by Police Scotland.

Premises Licence Reviews – Non-Payment of Annual Premises Licence Fees

The Licensing Board was asked to decide what action requires to be taken for three premises with outstanding fees, having regard to the licensing objectives. The premises were Eats & Treats Edinburgh Limited, 66 Gorgie Road; Mr Muhammad Amjad Akram, 109-11 St John's Road and Mr Mark Galloway, 29-33 Dublin Street.