JUST three per cent of applications for new alcohol licences in Scotland were refused last year, despite local authorities being encouraged to put in place 'saturation zones'.

New liquor licensing statistics also show a very slight increase in the number of licensed premises between 2013 and 2014, with bids for off-sales licences making up almost half of applications.

Scotland's Chief Statistician's figures detail information on premises and personal licences in force, applications, reviews or proceedings against rogue traders, as well as numbers of licensing standards officers employed.

Now in their fourth full year of operation after the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 came fully into force in September 2009, the figures show the overall number of premises licences in force on 31 March 2014 to be just under 16,300. Although this shows a relatively flat trend across the last four years, it is slightly up compared with March 2013.

They also show just under 70 per cent of premises licenses in force at March 2014 were for "on sales transactions", essentially pubs, clubs and restaurants, with the remaining 31 per cent related to off-sales only, which includes corner shops and supermarkets.

However, just under half, 46 per cent, of applications received for premises licenses in 2013-14 were for off-sale only, a clear indication this is the growth sector.

Also, just three per cent of applications for premises licences were refused, with some in the trade expecting licensing boards with overprovision policies to come in for criticism for the figure.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "It is difficult to meaningfully compare totals from the most recent four years against historic numbers due to changes in the way licenses are administered under current licensing arrangements.

"For instance, single licenses for premises which were previously subject to multiple licenses and registered clubs coming under the responsibility of licensing boards rather than sheriff courts."

Scottish local authorities employed a full-time equivalent of 61 licensing standards officers at March 2014.