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Licensees warned about old toilets

Pubs could face closure if facilities are not updated
Thousands of Scottish licensees face heavy new costs to bring their toilets up to scratch as part of measures in the new Licensing Act.
Under the new system – effective from next year – businesses who need to upgrade toilet facilities face not knowing whether they’ll be able to trade in a year’s time.
Applications are being approved on a 12-month’s grace basis, which can be extended to 24 months, if the council reckons toilet facilities aren’t adequate for the numbers using a bar.Some outlets could lose their licences altogether if they fail to bring in improvements, or face a wait of up to two years to find if they will gain a permanent licence.
Others – including older properties which can’t accommodate toilets because of space constraints – may be allowed to carry on as before, if they’re judged to have done their best.
The move has been sparked by conditions in the Act which give council building control departments the right to object to licences on grounds including inadequate toilet facilities and poor safety exit provision.

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