No blanket late opening for pubs in North Ayrshire during World Cup

Publicans in North Ayrshire who want to keep their bars open through the night for this summer's World Cup matches will have to apply to their local council.

The region's licensing board has decided not to introduce a general extension, which would allow pubs and bars to remain open for the late-night screenings.

Instead, businesses will have to make individual applications to North Ayrshire Licensing Board to extend their opening hours.

It differs from the policy in Aberdeen, where a blanket 03:00 closing time has been approved, and Glasgow, where pubs will be able to remain open until 30 minutes after the final whistle.

As the Fifa World Cup is being staged in US, Canada and Mexico, fans who stay in Scotland will have to stay up late to catch any matches.

Scotland will face Haiti in their first fixture at the tournament for 28 years on 14 June, with kick off at 02:00 UK time.

Both other group matches, against Morocco on 19 June and Brazil on 24 June, get under way at 23:00.

In North Ayrshire, applications to extend opening hours would be considered by officers under delegated powers.

But if there are any objections, it would be escalated for determination by the licensing board.

Councillor Cameron Inglis said: "Having a general extension does open the board up to lesser control over what premises can do.

"We can attach more conditions to individual licences. It's more important to attach these conditions as public safety is very important.

"It means things are more secure. This will help other services out like police and security."

Story from local democracy reporter Stewart McConnell.