A TEMPORARY drinks licence for bowlers was granted despite concerns the decision allowed their clubhouse to be licensed “on the cheap”.

Macmerry Miners Welfare Social Club applied for an occasional licence for its bowling section, which is based at the village bowling club.

However at a meeting, East Lothian licensing officer Rudi Fruzynski objected, pointing out the club had applied for consecutive 14-day occasional licences covering more than three months of 2015. And he said it was against licensing policy to continue to approve the temporary licences.

In a report to East Lothian Licensing Board, Mr Fruzynski said: “To continually operate a bar using occasional licences is, in a sense, gaining licensed facilities on the cheap and it is in conflict with the interests of those who have applied and been granted premises licences.”

Mr Fruzynski went on to say the club had been told last year about the licensing policy and given full detail of how to apply for a full licence.

An occasional licence from East Lothian Council covers a two-week maximum period and costs £10. A premises licence for a members’ club costs £150 to apply for and comes with a £180 annual fee.

James Fortune, Macmerry Miners Welfare Club president, told the licensing board the club had been advised it could operate with occasional licences but that it was now applying for a more permanent one.

He appealed to the board to allow the club to continue using temporary licences until the premises licence application was approved. The board agreed to grant the licence.