Hitting out at a worst-case scenario that could be repeated across the county, a former senior police officer yesterday criticised the "pathetic" piece of legislation it is claimed is now putting livelihoods at risk.

In a week since inviting customers to have their say on the issue, Dingwall's West End Garage has attracted 400 signatures of support.

It's among hundreds of garages and petrol station forecourt shops that face being forced to stop selling alcohol within a year under new licensing laws aimed at tackling Scotland's drink problem.

The move has been slammed as meaningless and unfair by critics and sparked fears of job losses and service withdrawal.

West End owner Steve Cunningham said that with 20 per cent of turnover depending on alcohol sales, jobs are clearly on the line. His premises sell food, newspapers and magazines and alcohol in addition to fuel which, he says, has a very slim profit margin. Mr Cunningham, and others in his position, must now demonstrate – with public support – that similar facilities could not be accessed elsewhere without significant difficulty.

He said, "The assumption that people driving in to fill up with petrol will then drink-drive is flawed. The profit from petrol is low and it might well be more profitable to simply concentrate on the shop."

That would leave Dingwall dependent on Tesco — which, ironically, has alcohol available in-store across from its filling station.

Said Mr Cunningham, "People seem supportive and we've had 400 signatures.

"We just have to try and show that people are reliant on us."

He pointed out that the West End is the sole supplier in Dingwall of LPG fuel, boasts a dedicated HGV diesel pump and also services many business users.

He said, "We're doing what the West End Post Office did and trying to demonstrate public support. We'll make the strongest case we can."

Ramsay McGhee, a Fortrose-based licensing expert and former senior Northern Constabulary police officer, said he has lobbied MSPs over "broad brush legislation" which he believes lets down rural areas badly.

"If you go and park at Tesco or Morrisons you can give yourself a hernia carting drink into the back of your car. What's the difference? It seems to be one rule for the small independents and another for the big boys. The West End, for example, has long provided a service to the community of Dingwall and beyond. I'm afraid the measures proposed are pathetic."

Under the new licensing act, which comes fully into being in September 2009, licensing boards have the power to set tighter local controls on how alcohol is sold, with garages mentioned specifically as a category where local authorities have that discretion.

Attempts to contact Ross, Skye and Lochaber Licensing Board chairwoman Margaret Paterson for comment yesterday were unsuccessful as we went to press.

editor@rsjournal.co.uk

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