Edinburgh councillors to decide on bid to let 12 to 15-year-olds into pubs alone

A hospitality company wants to let children as young as 12 into three Edinburgh pubs and restaurants without an adult, and councillors have asked to see the venues for themselves before deciding.

Signature Pubs Limited has applied to the city's licensing board to allow 12 to 15-year-olds to enter alone, or in groups of up to six, to buy meals, snacks and soft drinks.

The venues are McClarens on the Corner in Morningside, Cold Town House in the Grassmarket and The Fountain on Dundee Street.

How it would work

Under the plans, unaccompanied 12 to 15-year-olds could visit until 8pm. They would need to show a Young Scot card or passport and would only be served at tables. Groups would be capped at six, with no more than 21 children allowed at a time.

The company is also seeking permission for under-12s to visit with an adult until 11pm, or until 1am for private functions.

'Somewhere to go'

Licensing solicitor Caroline Loudon, representing the firm, said the venues were family friendly with well-trained staff, and would give children an accessible place to start going out without parents. She said her own daughter, who is a similar age, struggled to find places to go, with coffee shops often closing at 6pm and teenagers drifting to hotspots such as Lothian Road and St James Quarter.

She also disputed calling some of the venues pubs, describing them as more like restaurants that serve alcohol.

Councillors' concerns

Councillors questioned what staff would do if teenagers started behaving in a feral way. A company representative said they would be treated like any other customer and asked to leave. Concerns were also raised that the venues were more alcohol-led than fast-food restaurants.

The licensing board paused its decision until its next meeting so councillors can inspect the premises.