Latest news with #CivicGovernment(Scotland)Act1982
Scotsman
07-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Advice is essential as licensing rules for hospitality evolve
Licensing is a strategic function, not just a legal formality, says Karen Gatherum Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... For too long, licensing has been viewed by many businesses as a tick-box exercise – an operational necessity dealt with only when expansion or enforcement demands it. But across Scotland, we are beginning to see a shift. Licensing is more than just compliance and staying within the rules. A dynamic approach to licensing can become a tool to inform your strategy, drive growth and protect your reputation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Take hospitality and leisure as an example. Governed primarily by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, businesses may come across the need for occasional licences, applications for extended opening hours or specific entertainment permissions, which can have a significant impact on operations and trading. It is those who treat licensing proactively, as they would financial forecasting or ESG reporting, that are more likely to be able to react to changes and avoid any of the associated risks. Staying on top of licensing rules changes is a must, says Karen Gatherum In 2022, the introduction of new Short-Term Let Licensing under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (Licensing of Short-term Lets) Order caught many operators off guard. It was a perfect example of how regulatory shifts can instantly turn a previously compliant business into an unlawful operation. Local authorities across Scotland now operate with different application windows, conditions, and renewal cycles, demanding tailored legal strategies for hosts, platforms, and investors. For those operating businesses in short-term lettings, staying informed of these changes is essential. For businesses targeting international expansion into Scotland, licensing can also be a sticking point. New entrants to the market could make the mistake of assuming there is a one-size-fits-all approach, whereas, in reality, we have 32 individual local authorities and Licensing Boards, each applying national legislation with local policy twists. This can delay market entry if not properly managed. Similarly, energy and environmental firms looking to capitalise on Scotland's green agenda may overlook the need for specific licences or permits under SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) frameworks, particularly around waste, abstraction, or emissions. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad While technology is helping to modernise, streamline and automate some of these processes and applications, licensing law is more nuanced than ever, highlighting the value of professional advice. For instance, submitting an alcohol premises licence online may be simple, but negotiating with the Licensing Board on overprovision arguments or community objections is not. Similarly, short-term let operators may be able to apply digitally, but understanding licensing and planning conditions, antisocial behaviour enforcement, and insurance requirements still demands human judgment. As advisors, our job is not just to submit forms, but to help clients navigate the complex Scottish licensing landscape with confidence and foresight. Legal partners can provide strategic insight for business strategy and planning, including how a licensing approach may impact M&A readiness, operational reputation, or investor scrutiny. We see this in hospitality transactions, where a lapse in personal licence refresher training resulting in the revocation of the licence, or the availability of premises managers could sink an entire deal. In any sector impacted by regulation and governance, licensing must be central to the conversation. By treating licensing as an essential function, not just a legal formality, businesses can stay ahead and informed of potential issues and opportunities.
STV News
30-06-2025
- Politics
- STV News
MSPs call for views on Bill to criminalise those buying sex
People with 'lived experience' of prostitution and others are being urged to share their views on a Bill that could see men jailed for buying sex. Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee is seeking views on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. The member's Bill, introduced by Alba party MSP Ash Regan, targets those who buy sexual services by creating a new criminal offence of paying for a sexual act. If passed, it would criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it. Under the proposals, those convicted of buying sex could be fined up to £10,000 if the case was prosecuted in the sheriff courts – with these courts also able to impose jail sentences of up to six months. Launching the call for views, Criminal Justice Committee Convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: 'This Bill raises important questions on prostitution in Scotland and how it is considered by our laws. 'It proposes changes on criminalisation, the quashing of previous convictions and the support given to those who work in this environment and we want to hear from a range of voices on whether they welcome these provisions. 'We are particularly keen to hear the views of people with lived experience, on whether they support the proposals or not, and whether the changes this Bill proposes will help achieve its ambitions.' The new Bill would repeal the existing offence, under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, of loitering, soliciting or importuning in a public place for the purposes of prostitution. People who have been convicted of this offence in the past would have their convictions quashed by the new Bill. It would also give rights to ensure a person who is, or has been, in prostitution is provided with help and support. This could include accommodation, financial assistance, healthcare or legal advice and representation, depending on what is required. The call for views closes on September 5, 2025. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The National
Holyrood launches call for views on bid to criminalise buying sex
Holyrood's Criminal Justice Committee is seeking views on the Prostitution (Offences and Support) (Scotland) Bill. The member's Bill, introduced by Alba party MSP Ash Regan, targets those who buy sexual services by creating a new criminal offence of paying for a sexual act. If passed, it would criminalise those buying sex, while decriminalising those selling it. READ MORE: Ash Regan's bid to criminalise buying sex – what you need to know Under the proposals, those convicted of buying sex could be fined up to £10,000 if the case was prosecuted in the sheriff courts – with these courts also able to impose jail sentences of up to six months. Launching the call for views, criminal justice committee convener, Audrey Nicoll MSP, said: 'This Bill raises important questions on prostitution in Scotland and how it is considered by our laws. 'It proposes changes on criminalisation, the quashing of previous convictions and the support given to those who work in this environment and we want to hear from a range of voices on whether they welcome these provisions. 'We are particularly keen to hear the views of people with lived experience, on whether they support the proposals or not, and whether the changes this Bill proposes will help achieve its ambitions.' The new Bill would repeal the existing offence, under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, of loitering, soliciting or importuning in a public place for the purposes of prostitution. People who have been convicted of this offence in the past would have their convictions quashed by the new Bill. It would also give rights to ensure a person who is, or has been, in prostitution is provided with help and support. This could include accommodation, financial assistance, healthcare or legal advice and representation, depending on what is required. The proposals follow the "Nordic Model" approach, which seeks to decriminalise selling sex but criminalise those who purchase it. The approach has now been adopted in Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Canada, France, Ireland, and most recently, Israel. READ MORE: Met police drop second terror charge against Kneecap Launching the Bill in May, Regan said: 'Ending prostitution is essential to achieving true equality between the sexes. A society that allows women's bodies to be bought and sold cannot claim to value them as equals. 'Challenging the demand that fuels sexual exploitation is not just about justice — it's about dignity, safety, and the right of all women, girls, and vulnerable men to live free from commodification and harm.' The call for views closes on Friday, September 5, 2025.
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
iGLO tanning salon applies to renew entertainment licence
iGLO, located at 50 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch, has requested the renewal under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The application was submitted by Oscar Collins Limited, with Jamie Collins identified as the day-to-day manager. To view the full public notice, go to The salon provides tanning services, operating from 10am to 10pm, Monday to Friday; 10am to 7pm on Saturdays; and 12pm to 7pm on Sundays. The application notice was issued by East Dunbartonshire Council's legal and regulatory services. Residents have a 28-day window from the publication date of the notice to submit any objections or representations regarding the application. These should be directed to the chief solicitor and monitoring officer within the legal and regulatory services at East Dunbartonshire Council, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch. Alternatively, submissions can be emailed to
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kirkintilloch tanning salon applies to renew Public Entertainment Licence
A Kirkintilloch tanning salon has applied to renew its Public Entertainment Licence. iGLO, located at 50 Cowgate, Kirkintilloch, has requested the renewal under the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. The application was submitted by Oscar Collins Limited, with Jamie Collins identified as the day-to-day manager. To view the full public notice, go to The salon provides tanning services, operating from 10am to 10pm, Monday to Friday; 10am to 7pm on Saturdays; and 12pm to 7pm on Sundays. The application notice was issued by East Dunbartonshire Council's legal and regulatory services. Residents have a 28-day window from the publication date of the notice to submit any objections or representations regarding the application. These should be directed to the chief solicitor and monitoring officer within the legal and regulatory services at East Dunbartonshire Council, 12 Strathkelvin Place, Kirkintilloch. Alternatively, submissions can be emailed to
