THE man charged with overseeing the licensing of Glasgow's pubs, clubs, restaurants and casinos wants to help maintain the city's night-time economy.

Malcolm Cunning returned to the city council at the May 3 elections after a five year absence.

And after being elected to represent the Linn ward has been appointed licensing board chairman.

He said his aim is to ensure the board continues to be respected and to work closely with the night-time economy.

Mr Cunning said: "I want to work with the licensing lawyers and representatives who try and maintain the smooth running of a vibrant and safe night-time economy.

"The night-time economy is hugely important, Glasgow is a destination for people from across the Greater Glasgow area and is also a massive and growing tourism destination."

Mr Cunning said he was pleased the city had moved away from the days when men met their mates in smoke-filled drinking dens out of sight of the wider public.

He said: "In the past we tried to encourage a shift in attitude from the traditional Scots drinking dens, which were behind frosted or blacked out glass.

"They were often dark, dingy places with men drinking a half and a half and we wanted to encourage places which were more open and would discourage some of the extremes.

"In the past, pubs were old-fashioned places where men could get drunk and unpleasant and probably be drunk and unpleasant with their families.

"Things have now moved on and we have places which are far more open and public and where people are likely to behave themselves more."

The Glasgow licensing board area is one of the largest in Britain, with more than 1700 pubs, clubs, off licenses, restaurants and casinos.

In the past, each one had to apply to have its license renewed every three years.

But a change in the rules means they only need come in front of the licensing board if there are alterations to their premises or opening hours, or if they have been the subject of a complaint.

Mr Cunning said: "The owner of an off-licence will have to come back to the board if he wants to put in another 2m of shelving and the owner of a pub if he wants to open an extension out the back.

"A license holder who does not change his premises does not have to re-apply provided there are no complaints about it."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

'

'