A clampdown is to be launched on Glasgow pubs which open at breakfast time.

The move is part of a raft of measures included in a controversial new report which was made public today.

It aims to tackle what city licensing board chiefs see as an over-provision of bars in the city.

A number of pubs are allowed to open early if they can show there is demand from shift workers, from nearby factories and markets, or from tourists.

But board members now say early morning opening goes against their aim of protecting and improving public health.

A licensing board spokesman said: “Early morning opening is a real issue of concern for the board.

“Over the years, a number of premises have been granted opening hours from 8am because they are said to cater for shift workers or markets.

“But if you went into some areas of the city for example, it is unlikely you would find any shift workers or tourists.

“Board members now want to clamp down on early morning opening hours and want to restrict these in the future.

“They will also monitor closely those which do have those hours.”

The report, which now goes out to public consultation, says early morning opening can encourage people to consume booze for longer periods of time and can lead to public nuisance and disorder at a time when the police do not normally have the resources to cope.

It adds: “As such, the licensing board considers early morning hours will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.

“Applicants for premises seeking hours prior to 11am or 12.30am on a Sunday must specifically justify the request for such additional hours.”

Pubs which are granted late opening hours because they are providing entertainment will in future also face tough new checks.

The spokesman said: “If they are claiming to be offering substantial forms of entertainment, the board is expecting licensing standards officers to go in and check.

There will be much more monitoring of premises to make sure they are complying with the boards policies. We are going to get tough with them.”

Late-night opening pubs, which are found to be in breach of the board’s rules, face having their hours cut.

The licensing board also wants to persuade more pubs in the city to use plastic instead of glass. Currently only bars which operate after midnight must serve alcohol in toughened plastic.

But pubs are now to be encouraged to switch from glass and have been warned they face losing their licence if they are the scene of a glassing attack.

Board members will take any attack into consideration when reviewing the pub’s licence. Those which have not opted for toughened plastic glasses face a written warning, a cut in hours or their licence being suspended or withdrawn.

The report says: “It is widely acknowledged that violent crime, particularly that involving glasses and bottles in licensed premises, tends to be spontaneous and invariably involves a link with the consumption of alcohol.

“Similarly it is generally accepted that individuals using glasses and bottles as weapons have caused a significant number of serious injuries sustained in or around licensed premises over the past few years.”

Although some rules covering pubs will be tightened, board members want to let children stay later in some premises. At present, children up to 15-years-old have to leave bars at 8pm and restaurants by 10pm.

But in future, board members will consider applications to let young people remain later.

The spokesman said: “The board is keen to see the development of more family friendly premises but will be looking closely at the facilities available when determining the hours for children. It will not be a broad brush approach.”

Pub bosses will also be encouraged to do their part to promote public health.

They will be asked to promote the availability of food and snacks, make information available to members of staff and customers about sensible drinking levels and the effects of harmful drinking.

Publicans will also be encouraged to increase the number of tables in their premises to cut down on the number of customers who drink standing up.

The document will go out to consultation until October 29 with the finalised board policy published on November 27.

To see the consultation document online go to http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Business/Licences/Licensing Board/LicensingBoardLiquorPolicyStatement.htm