First Minister John Swinney is facing mounting pressure to relax Scotland's strict licensing laws for the duration of the upcoming World Cup, following his own praise for the economic boost the tournament could bring.
Economic Optimism and Hospitality Demands
During a keynote speech delivered to the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, John Swinney championed the national football team's qualification as a monumental opportunity for the country. He stated that the team has ‘completely and utterly given us such a mood of optimism in Scotland’ and presents a prime chance to promote Scotland on the world stage.
The First Minister urged a collaborative effort across all sectors of the economy, from airports and restaurants to universities and exporters, to capitalise on this ‘magnificent opportunity’. This is the first time Scotland has qualified for a World Cup since the Scottish parliament was established.
Calls for Late-Night Openings and Fan Zones
However, immediately following his address, Mr Swinney was confronted with calls to extend this economic boost to the domestic front. Hospitality leaders and MSPs are demanding special dispensation to allow pubs to show matches that are scheduled for late at night or in the early hours of the morning.
Stephen Montgomery, spokesman for the Scottish Hospitality Group, directly appealed to the First Minister. ‘I would call on the First Minister to encourage local authorities to engage with licensees to work to open up fan zones because it is a unique occasion,’ he said. Montgomery emphasised that late-night openings and community events could provide a vital injection for the struggling sector, suggesting that even community halls could host gatherings in areas that have lost their local pub.
Political Support for Regulatory Easing
The push for relaxed rules has found political backing. Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton has been vocal in demanding special dispensation for extended pub licensing hours and the creation of official fan parks where supporters can watch the matches together.
This creates a direct challenge for the Scottish Government: to align its regulatory framework with the First Minister's own vision of a nationwide economic and communal celebration of Scotland's World Cup participation.
