Nightclub spot-checks turn into tea party

THEY were supposed to be the spot-checks to help bring calm to some of Edinburgh's wildest pubs and clubs. But "surprise" visits by members of the city's licensing board to bars and clubs at the centre of complaints from neighbours bore more of a resemblance to a late-night tea party.

Rather than carry out unannounced checks of the establishments, Edinburgh's licensing chief, Councillor Marjorie Thomas, forewarned the handful of bars and clubs of her visits – even giving one bar enough time to lay on tea and scones for the nightclub-weary group.

The casual "spot-checking" has raised concerns among residents and traders, who don't feel that councillors are getting a realistic picture of the problems caused by Edinburgh's bar and club scene.

However, Cllr Thomas today insisted the exercise was worthwhile and said that she was already planning more visits.

The licensing board regularly handles applications for late licences beyond 11pm, but in January, plans were unveiled to check-up on bars or clubs.

The idea was that councillors could make decisions based on their own experiences.

On Friday night, the councillor, along with two other members of the licensing board and two plain-clothed police officers, made their first visits to six bars and clubs between 10pm and 1.30am.

Of those, Cabaret Voltaire and City nightclub were given advance warning of the group's visits. CC Blooms, GHQ, Amicus Apple and Tollcross club Lava and Ignite were not, but bar owners were warned by police officers just before the visits took place.

Bill Cowan, planning secretary for Edinburgh Old Town Association, said that the exercise did not give the whole picture. Mr Cowan, who also owns Ah Ha Ha Ha joke shop in the Grassmarket, said: "I think if you are going to go round the bars you should do it unannounced at the times there are most likely to be problems.

"Things have improved, but you still get vast numbers of people standing outside – especially now because of the smoking ban.

"I'm not saying what the councillor did was wrong, but she is only getting part of the story."

Cllr Thomas said that the idea was simply to get a feel for Edinburgh's nightlife.

She said: "We weren't there to catch people out with bad behaviour. We were just trying to see if people were staggering out or throwing up in the gutter.

"The idea was to get a feel for what Edinburgh is like on a Friday night.

"Where bars knew we were coming it was out of courtesy and when we stopped off for a cup of tea, it was just for a break."

She said she felt that the experience had been encouraging. She said: "It was well worth seeing how these bars and clubs work. I was very impressed with the whole set-up.

"We saw that the owners were trying very hard to make things better. There didn't appear to be many drunk people about."

However, she added: "It is important these establishments keep a good relationship with their neighbours. The night-time economy is important, but it is also important it is policed properly."