Pubdate: Mon, 27 Dec 2004
Source: Evening Times (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Newsquest (Herald & Times) Limited
Contact:  http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3252
Author: Gordon MacDiarmid

GLASGOW SCRAPS BAN ON NIGHTCLUB ENTRY AFTER 2AM

Glasgow has ditched its ban on entry to nightclubs after 2am - almost 12 
years after it was introduced.

Licensing bosses decided to end the curfew with immediate effect after 
consulting police and the licensed trade.

It is understood there was only one vote separating those in favour from 
those against.

Nightclubs regularly stay open until 3am and are given dispensation to open 
until 4am 12 times a year.

Now late night party-goers will be able to get into venues any time before 
they close.

The curfew had been introduced in June 1993 following a "summer of 
violence" the previous year when there was a spate of fatal stabbings in 
the city centre.

It ran hand-in-hand with Strathclyde Police's Operation Blade, which saw 
scores of officers patrolling the city centre to stop and search revellers.

The curfew was also intended to prevent drug dealers moving from venue to 
venue and to stop people chasing a late drink at clubs staying open until 3am.

Clubs were initially banned from allowing entry to customers from midnight, 
earning Glasgow the nickname of The Cinderella City.

The move sparked protests from clubbers and there was a 20,000-strong rally 
in George Square fronted by 1990s rave band The Shamen.

Over time, the limit was moved to 12.30am and then 1am, before remaining at 
2am since the late 1990s.

Licensing board convener Gordon Macdiarmid said: "We simply had a look at 
this again. After discussions with police we concluded it was something of 
an anachronism."

Strathclyde's top licensing police officer, Superintendent George Clelland, 
said the

curfew was no longer needed - but he warned it could be reintroduced if 
matters deteriorated in the city centre.

He said: "Safety in Glasgow city centre has improved massively over the 
past 12 years and we felt there was no longer any need for a curfew.

"But we would reassess the situation if there was a negative impact on 
lifting it."

The move leaves Greenock as the only major centre in Scotland with a 
nightclub curfew.

Eddie Tobin, Glasgow Nightclub Forum chief and boss of the Scottish arm of 
the British Entertainment and Discotheque Association, said: "It is about 
time this antiquated bar on entry times was lifted."

James Mortimer, who has owned club venues including Trash, Victoria's and 
Mas, said: "A few weeks ago I was denied entry to Tiger Tiger because it 
was 2.05am and it reminded me how out-of-touch this policy was.

"It is great it has gone, but I have no doubt this policy has held this 
city back years and we have missed out on many operators looking at Glasgow 
because of it."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager