A MINERS’ welfare club has issued members with swipe cards and introduced a traffic light system to allow members to enjoy its outdoor facilities as lockdown restrictions ease.

Wallyford Miners Welfare and Social Club applied to East Lothian Licensing Board for permission to allow people to drink around its bowling green and create a new smoking area in an outdoor seating area.

And its treasurer Darren Smith told the board of additional measures the club had taken to increase security, including 25 new CCTV cameras and an online system to let people know how busy the club is before heading out.

Mr Smith told the board that the club had introduced a new entry system and  planned to operate a closed door policy which would mean only members could access it, using their swipe cards.

He said: “Members will be issued with swipe cards which will get them into the grounds and their information will be recorded.

“We are also publishing a traffic light system on our website to let members know how busy we are.”

The club received praise from Councillor John McMillan, board member and East Lothian Provost, for its approach.

He said he would be interested in a follow-up report on the success of the swipe card system and said the club was a central hub for the community.

The board heard that the club, which applied for additional variations to its licence to allow children of all ages to attend functions once they return, hosted local community family events and was the only facility in the local area able to do so.

Mr McMillan said: “I have visited the club when it was supporting a community event.

“I was so impressed by the community feel and the way it was organised was very professional.”

The board approved changes to the club’s licence to allow outdoor drinking and use of its main hall for functions, as well as younger children to attend when restrictions allow for them to be held.