A GALASHIELS club has had an application to extend its opening hours on two of the biggest nights of the festive period rejected.
The Scottish Borders Licensing Board opposed the bid by Indigo Rooms license holder Richard Crawford to close at 3am rather than 2am for its Boxing Day and Hogmanay events.
Both police inspector John Scott and Scottish Borders Council’s licensing standards officer Ian Tunnah were against the extension.
Inspector Scott cited crime and disorder prevention, while Mr Tunnah said the only other Borders’ nightclubs, in Hawick and Kelso would be closing at 2am.
Mr Tunnah said: “If the board were to grant the hours applied for there is undoubtedly potential for large numbers to be attracted to the centre of Galashiels with the obvious potential for disturbance and anti-social behaviour to continue to a much later time than any other area within the Scottish Borders.”
Licensing board chairman Willie Archibald added: “The decision was in line with board policy.”
The board granted a transfer and variation of a premises licence to allow Michelle Walsh to turn the former Bridge Bingo Club in Hawick into a function room.
And applicant Malcolm Cooper was given permission to extend the licensing hours of the former Callaghan’s Bar in Hawick, which has been renamed Cooper’s.