MORE than a dozen communities in Glasgow have too many pubs and off-sales and no more should be allowed, licensing bosses have decided.

The city’s Licensing Board has identified 14 parts of the city where there are serious problems with alcohol related disorder and drink related deaths and illness.

The Licensing policy for those areas will be a presumption to refuse any new applications to sell alcohol opening a pub or off-sales.

While it affects pubs too the main issue is seen to be with off-sales which the council says is a cause for concern across the city.

The board has added new areas to the list meaning a large part of the city will not be allowed any new pub or off sales licences.

The communities deemed to have too many alcohol licences are mostly concentrated in the more deprived parts of the north and east.

Bridgeton, Calton and Gallowgate, Carntyne West and Haghill, Govan and Linthouse, Ibrox, Keppochill, Laurieston and Tradeston, Maryhill West, Parkhead West and Barrowfield, Possilpark, Ruchill, Shettleston North and Wyndford.

The number of areas where the council says there are already too many places selling alcohol and where harm is caused has increased.

Keppochill, Maryhill West, Ruchill and Possilpark were added to the previous list, with Whiteinch removed.

The plan has the support of the Scottish Grocers Federation, many of whose members run shops with off sales.

John Lee, Head of Public affairs at the SGF said: “Taking a targeted locality approach like this, instead of a city wide policy is in line with what we have been recommending.

“As long as this is applied carefully and on the basis of evidence then we see this as the right approach.”

The board said that areas outside the overprovision list particularly on the edge on one could still be refused if it is not in line with the licensing objectives.

A spokesman for Glasgow Licensing Board said: “There has been an increase in the number of areas in the city where the evidence points to there already being an over provision of licensed premises.

“Although every case is treated on its individual merits, the presumption is that no further licences will be granted in these over-provision areas.”