Pubs in Glasgow will be banned from selling takeaway drinks after an apparent spike in anti-social behaviour complaints.
Bars and restaurants have been unable to welcome punters for a sit in drink since a nationwide lockdown was announced back in March this year.
Some businesses have been selling takeaway drinks over the course of the last three months in a bid to sell off any remaining stock during restrictions.
But Glasgow City Council said that it will no longer allow the sale of takeaway drinks from July 6 - which is also the date beer gardens are due to reopen in Scotland.
The council says it has been ‘inundated’ by complaints from locals over people illegally drinking alcohol outdoors and urinating in public.
Drinking in public has been banned in the city since 1996.
Officials say that the sale of drinks such as pints and cocktails has had a ‘direct’ impact on this and claim it is damaging the city’s reputation.
A spokesperson for GCC said: “Over the course of lockdown, we’ve been inundated with complaints about premises selling ‘take away’ drinks, often in disposable, plastic cups.
“Unfortunately, the sale of alcohol in this way has led directly to public drinking and public urination, which is unacceptable, anti-social behaviour.
“Due to the volume of complaints, the situation has now become untenable and risks damaging the reputation of the city’s responsible licensed trade.
“We have been doing everything we can to support the licensed trade during what has been an exceptionally challenging period.
“But with pubs and restaurants able to open outdoor areas from July 6, we will no longer accept the sale of takeaway-style alcohol for consumption directly off the premises.
“Any premises that continues to sell takeaway drinks risks losing the occasional licence that allows them to operate an external area during the emergency period.
“Premises may also face a review of their licence.
“To ensure the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and securing public safety are being met, premises can only use their off-licence for home delivery or to sell pre-packaged, properly sealed products such as a bottles of wine or cans of beer.”
The reopening of beer gardens on July 6 will be the first time Scots have been able to visit the pub since the lockdown was imposed in March this year.
Bars, pubs and restaurants were all among businesses to close their doors amid the height of the coronavirus pandemic.
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to relax the two-metre rule later this month as businesses fear that the restriction will stop them from reopening.
