THOUSANDS of key workers in Scotland's licensed trade have been issued with notices banning them from selling alcohol, putting huge numbers of jobs in the sector at risk.

 

In a move which throws the future of hundreds of pubs, clubs, corner shops and restaurants into the balance, an estimated 10,000 people are being notified this week that their "personal licences", required to sell alcohol since 2009, are being revoked for failing to meet legal needs over training.

A significant number will lose their jobs as a result of the move, with one industry expert accusing many in the trade of "sleepwalking towards the dole queue".

In Glasgow alone, 1300 personal licences, almost one in five, have been revoked. Of these 130 are managers, meaning if the business does not get a new, fully trained-up manager in place within six weeks they will be banned from selling alcohol.

In Edinburgh, the figure is around 1000, while in Aberdeen it is close to 600 and almost 700 in the Highlands Council area.

All affected now face a five year ban before they can reapply and possible criminal prosecution if caught selling liquor without a licence.

Police Scotland has already told The Herald it will target those in the trade operating without the necessary consents now that licenses have been revoked.

Industry leaders have also claimed the move will be a massive blow to the trade in the run-up to their busiest time of the year.

A spokesman for the Glasgow's licensing board said: "We anticipate that around 1300 personal licences will be revoked. Of this number 130 people were designated premises managers and those individuals will now have to relinquish their role.

"Unless the affected 130 premises install a replacement manager within six weeks they will not be able to sell alcohol, although we are working to avoid this eventuality.

"According to the legislation those who have the licence revoked will be banned from holding a personal licence for five years."

Anyone who manages any premises where alcohol is sold requires a personal licence, which also authorises the sale of liquor by others. Many premises have multiple licence holders.

The Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005, which came in in 2009, made it a requirement for licence holders to be fully trained up to drive up standards. Yet despite repeated publicity and direct contact by licensing boards thousands missed an August 31 deadline and then the weekend's legal cut-off point.

The Scottish Grocers' Federation, which represents smaller retailers, accused the Scottish Government of imposing such harsh penalties in the original legislation.

Spokesman John Lee said: "Thousands of people who could find themselves unable to do their job and potentially out of work over Christmas as a result of having their licence automatically revoked. Licensing boards are also automatically required to inform the police when a licence has been revoked.

Leading lawyer Jack Cummins, who has advised the Scottish Government on licensing policy, said: "??Despite warnings from licensing boards and industry leaders, it's clear that a multitude of licensed trade workers have been sleepwalking towards the dole queue.

"For pubs, clubs and shops suddenly without a premises manager, there are dire consequences ahead, a block on alcohol sales, possible prosecution and a licence review, unless they wake up and seek out urgent legal advice."

The Scottish Government said it was for individual licensing boards "to determine their own procedures in compliance with the laid down legislation", adding refresher training courses had been available since mid-2013 to give licence holders sufficient time.

It added that amending primary legislation was "not a straightforward matter, nor is amendment of legislation something that is undertaken lightly".

A spokeswoman added: "We do however share concerns that revoking a personal licence for five years may be excessive. That is why we are addressing this in the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Bill currently before the Scottish Parliament."