A Newmains company that specialises in inflatable outdoor bars has hit out at North Lanarkshire Council for refusing a license to host events in the area.
Family business, Smart Car Bar, was refused an occasional license by the council’s Licensing Board on Friday.
The company claims the council is the only local authority in Scotland to turn them down for an occasional licence, costing them thousands of pounds in lost income.
In a statement the company said: “With a heavy heart Smart Car Bar will no longer be applying for occasional licenses in the North Lanarkshire Council area.
“North Lanarkshire Council is the only council we have applied to that has never granted our business a licence.
“Our most recent application was fully backed by Police Scotland and North Lanarkshire councillors objected yet again on the grounds of public safety.
“We have held numerous successful events in other council areas with no issues.
“We are a new North Lanarkshire business and have managed to get the business through Covid-19 and employ people from the local area.
“North Lanarkshire has cost us thousands of pounds in takings, it’s time this council supported local businesses instead of trying to destroy them.”
John O’Donnell, from Smart Car Bar, added: “It’s disappointing as we have had support from various other councils.
“There doesn’t seem to be a problem at all, only in North Lanarkshire.”
North Lanarkshire Council confirmed the application had been rejected on two grounds.
A council spokesperson said: “At a meeting of the Licensing Board specially convened, an application made for an occasional licence for a birthday party in August was considered by the Board.
“The decision of the Board was that the application be refused on two grounds namely that to grant the application would be inconsistent with the licensing objectives of securing public safety and protecting and improving public health.
“The applicant has requested a statement of reasons and therefore it would be inappropriate to make any further comment through the media.”
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