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Borders World Cup pub opening times a 'work in progress'

News imageGetty Images Scotland striker Lyndon Dykes celebrates getting to the World Cup. He is in a Scotland number nine shirt and has a Scotland flag held up behind him.Getty Images
Scotland's games are late at night or in the early hours of the morning at the World Cup

A decision on whether Borders pubs will be allowed to stay open later during this summer's World Cup is a "work in progress", councillors have been told.

Their counterparts in Aberdeen recently agreed a blanket 03:00 closing time extension for Scotland's games at the tournament.

Their first match on 14 June kicks off at 02:00 with the next two at 23:00.

Marshall Douglas - who chairs Scottish Borders Council's licensing board - said proposals for the tournament would be announced soon.

"We are looking at the arrangements for the World Cup situation and licensing of premises during the tournament," he said.

"The board will be reviewing that in our private session and will have future reports.

"We will be looking at that and taking advice from officers and I wanted people to know that it is a work in progress."

A report on the agreed opening hours will come before SBC's licensing board next month.

Health Secretary Neil Gray has said the Scottish government will work with local authorities to try to ensure supporters do not miss out.

The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has called for licensing boards to show "flexibility" and let premises stay open.

Reporting by Local Democracy Reporter Paul Kelly.