East Lothian Courier | News | Appeal for drinks' ban

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 21st August, 2008 08:40

Appeal for drinks' ban

GIFFORD community councillors may be set for a U-turn on the issue of public outdoor drinking in the village – after an apparent rise in alcohol-fuelled disturbances in recent months.

Frustrated residents have appealed to the community council to lead a crackdown on public drinking, saying that unruly drinkers are becoming a frequent nuisance in the village.

Chairing a group meeting last Monday, community councillor David Betts explained that the group was approached about the possibility of a drinking bylaw in the past – as part of countywide consultation by East Lothian Council.

However, it had rejected the idea “in the interest of the majority” of residents who enjoyed drinking in public without incident.

He said: “I think we’ve established that there’s a problem.

“We have had a number of representations about problems in the area during closing time.

“The community council has been asked to make a submission to the East Lothian Local Licensing Forum, to ask if any changes can be made to licensing laws in Gifford.”

He added that a recent increase in the number of police patrols in the village had “seemed to lower the problem” but a return to the standard number of patrols had seen the situation escalate once again.

One letter sent to the community council described “street fights”, broken windows, people urinating against walls and rising noise levels in High Street.

Community councillor Julian Tennent added: “The mess in the Bleachfield (public park) at times has been quite gross.

“You see people just sitting down around a table, finishing off a bottle then heaving it as far as they can.”

Haddington and Lammermuir councillor Tom Trotter admitted:

“Unfortunately there is a problem here, no matter where these people are coming from.”

Members also agreed that if a drinking ban was applied, there should be an exemption, to allow residents to consume alcohol in public during the annual village gala day.

Community council chairman John O’Connor later told the Courier that if a decision was made to pursue a drinking bylaw there would “definitely” be public consultation, to gather residents’ opinions on the proposal.

The nine communities in East Lothian where the consumption of alcohol is banned all year round in public places include Gullane, Haddington, Longniddry, North Berwick and Prestonpans.

Towns such as Tranent and Dunbar have exemptions during annual festivals and gala days.

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