'We have been responsible' - New Town pub owner ‘devastated’ by licence review as residents claim ‘lack of control’ over takeaway beer drinkers and pavements littered with cigarette ends

Residents have also complained about customers outside the St Vincent Bar littering pavements with cigarette ends as people queue up to buy more alcohol.

An Edinburgh City council spokesperson confirmed the matter will be discussed at a premises licence review during Thursday’s licensing board meeting, which has left pub owner Chris Grierson “absolutely devastated.”

Mr Grierson says he and his team have been serving sealed takeaway drinks as a “vital” way of keeping their business afloat during the pandemic and insists they “have been responsible” and worked with police to comply with coronavirus restrictions.

One neighbour, Peter Henry, claims the problems have “intensified” in recent weeks outside the bar - located directly below his flat - but says he has seen crowds gathering outside other pubs in the local area too.

The 72-year-old chartered surveyor said: “It’s like the wild west here. It’s ruining the place.

“We have a situation with people coming to the hatch at the front of the bar (St Vincent) then taking drinks and standing on a Friday afternoon and queuing right up the street. They are not buying drinks and moving on. No one is wearing masks and there is no social distancing in the queue.

“There is absolutely no control over the customers who are coming. With the current situation, this is dangerous.”

Mr Henry says he has seen groups of people drinking on the street outside the St Vincent, on the nearby steps of the St Stephen’s Centre and on benches in neighbouring Circus Lane.

But Mr Grierson says the majority of those gathering outside are not their customers and that, particularly during the summer months, people liked to gather in the street in a nice part of town.

They have also employed a staff member to monitor the area outside the premises and have worked with police to put up posters encouraging customers to leave the area after their purchase.

Concerns have also been raised that the serving of beer in plastic cups may encourage people to gather outside, but Mr Grierson says they sell their takeaway beers with sealed plastic lids and use plastic cups as a more sustainable alternative to bottles.

Mr Grierson says the pandemic has been “crushing” for their business, adding: “Despite that, we recognise and understand our importance within our community and have done all we can to support them and continue to provide a semblance of normality in such trying times.

“We have, when appropriate, offered a takeaway service of our wares - typically Thursday to Sunday. This includes packaged drinks, sealed draught pints and bottles of wine. Our offering has always been responsible and we have worked hand in hand with Police Scotland to ensure we do everything we can to remain compliant and safe within restrictions. We are exceptionally proud of our offering, our staff, and our regular customers.

“Our takeaway service is a vital part of our business both prior to the pandemic and ongoing. We will be putting our case across to the licensing board on Thursday and hope they listen with an understanding ear.”

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