Licence holders – on your marks for Orkney 2025

Alcohol licence holders in Orkney are being urged to get applications in as soon as possible if they are intending to extend their opening hours during the period of the Orkney Island Games in July.  

The next meeting of the Licensing Board takes place on 1 May 2025 and those looking to extend their hours are being encouraged to have their applications in at least six weeks prior to that to allow all the necessary actions to be taken.  

This includes processing of the applications, a 21-day consultation period and publication of a notice on the Council website.  

The next meeting after that is not until 3 July, which will present tight timescales for applications to be processed, especially if lots of applicants leave it too late.  

Karen Bevilacqua is the Council’s Service Manager for Legal Services, which handles licence applications.  She said: “The Island Games looks set to be a fantastic celebration for our community and for those visiting the islands during the event.   

“Those who run licensed premises may be looking to extend their hours to take account of this.  There’s a number of processes to go through to do this and so we’d encourage people to get their applications in as soon as possible to allow these to be completed and presented to the Board.” 

More information is available by phoning 01856873535 extensions 2229 or 2232 or by email on licensing@orkney.gov.uk 

Licensing of premises where alcohol is sold is governed by the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and associated regulations. In Orkney, alcohol licensing is overseen by the Orkney Islands Area Licensing Board, on which Orkney Islands Councillors sit. 

More information is available at Alcohol Licensing