The Local Licensing Forum was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 7 October 2025, to discuss updates from the Licensing Standards Officers, the Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, and Police Scotland. The forum was also scheduled to review the minutes from previous meetings of the Scottish Borders Licensing Board.

Police Scotland Update

The forum was scheduled to receive an update from Police Scotland, including the Chief Constable's Report 2024-2025.

The report detailed the work of the Violence Prevention and Licensing Co-ordination Unit (VPLCU), which is responsible for determining national licensing strategy and policy. According to the report, during 2024/2025, Police Scotland's focus was on:

• Scrutiny of serious incidents of violence, disorder and antisocial behaviour linked to licensed premises.
• Delivering and promoting campaigns which seek to address issues arising from the consumption of alcohol, particularly in relation to young persons and in the context of the night-time economy.
• Governance and ongoing development of the National ICT Licensing System, known as Inn Keeper , to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of liquor and civic licensing administration and management.

The report also provided an overview of the operation of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005¹ within the Scottish Borders. According to the report, there were 433 premises in the Scottish Borders licensed to sell alcohol as of March 2025, a decrease of 39 premises from the previous year. According to the report, Police Scotland carried out 295 recorded inspections of licensed premises in the Scottish Borders during the reporting year. The report also detailed the intervention process used by Police Scotland to address issues in licensed premises.

The report noted that a total of 1,167 crimes of violence were recorded within the Scottish Borders area between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025, a decrease of 78 crimes (-6.3%) from the 2023-24 levels. Of these, 63 crimes of violence were recorded for licensed premises, compared to 40 in 2023-24. It was also noted that 21 crimes were committed within supermarkets licensed to sell alcohol.

The report also provided data on anti-social behaviour, noting that 4,724 incidents were recorded during 2024-25, a decrease of 229 incidents (4.6%) from 2023-24.

The report also detailed the number of licensing offences recorded during the period, including offences related to the sale of alcohol to children and drunk persons.

The report also outlined proposed activities for the year ahead, including:

• The Licensing Officer will continue to work in conjunction with partner agencies and LSOs to provide guidance and support to all parties, ensuring license holders and licensed premises staff have a better understanding of their responsibilities/obligations.
• The Dedicated Night Time Economy Policing Plan will continue and will be led by Local Community Police Officers, with assistance from Response Officers (subject to incident demand).
• Continue with the It'll Cost You Proxy Purchase Campaign.

Scottish Borders Licensing Board Minutes

The forum was scheduled to review the minutes of the Scottish Borders Licensing Board meetings held on 22 August 2025 and 19 September 2025.

22 August 2025

The minute of the 22 August 2025 meeting includes discussion of the following licensing applications:

• An application for the grant of a provisional premises licence for Dalkeith Rugby Football Club at Kings Park, Dalkeith.
• An application for the variation of a premises licence for Tesco Stores LTD, Edinburgh Road, Dalkeith.
• An application for the variation of a premises licence for Morrisons, Hardengreen, Dalkeith.
• An application for the variation of a premises licence for Aldi Stores LTD, Thorny Crook, Dalkeith.
• An application for the transfer of a premises licence for The Gordon Arms Hotel, Yarrow.

19 September 2025

The minute of the 19 September 2025 meeting includes discussion of the Chief Constable’s Report, and the following licensing applications:

• An application for the grant of a premises licence for RPC (Hotels) Limited, Dicksons of Ednam, 13 Bridge Street Kelso TD5 7HT (Provisional). The proposed business activity was for a semi-detached ground floor building at the entrance gates to Ednam House Hotel in Kelso town centre, with a seated lounge bar area, kitchen, toilets and basement storage, operating as a bistro style bar serving light meals and tapas dishes.
• An application for the variation of a premises licence for Co-operative Group Food Limited, Co-op, Highcroft Kelso TD5 7NB. The amendment was to question 5(f) (any other activities) of the operating plan to read the following: 'The sale of food, non-food items and other household goods and the provision of ancillary consumer services within and outwith licensed hours. Home deliveries may be provided to customers. Alcohol will only be delivered in terms of and in compliance with the relevant provisions of the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005'.
• An application for the grant of a premises licence for Bakers With Spirit Limited 3 Douglas Road East Hawick TD9 9NU (Provisional). The proposed business activity was for the kitchen within the detached house at 3 Douglas Road East, Hawick, where products are to baked and infused with alcohol, packaged and dispatched. Age verification will be required when online orders are made and designated couriers will undertake the age verification at time of delivery.