Sit down in the pub? We won't stand for it! Police in bizarre bid to ban 'vertical drinking' in island bar

By JONATHAN BROCKLEBANK FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL

Published: | Updated:

The choice to sit or stand with glass in hand has been a pub-goer's prerogative for as long as there has been a licensed trade.

But a challenge to the age-old order has been made by Police Scotland who tried to veto 'vertical' drinking in a remote village's only pub.

The force said the ban should be in place at the Pomona Inn in Finstown, Orkney, when 16 and 17-year-olds were present.

The rule, suggested Chief Superintendent Rob Shepherd, would protect young people from harm.

But local licensing chiefs refused to take the intervention sitting down. Deciding there was no logic to it, they ruled patrons should be free to stand if they wish.

The controversy arose when the pub's owners, Sharon and Dave Craigie, applied for changes to the licence which would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to take part in pool and darts matches.

The Pomona Inn in Finstown

The Pomona Inn in Finstown

Locals enjoy refreshments standing up outside the inn on Orkney

Locals enjoy refreshments standing up outside the inn on Orkney

Police scrutinised the application and made recommendations to Orkney Licensing Board.

They said adults should accompany any youngsters taking part and under-agers should not sit or remain at the bar. 

While those conditions were approved, the third proviso raised eyebrows. It said: 'All efforts should be taken that there is no vertical consumption of alcohol.

'It would be possible to have seated only consumption of alcohol when competitions are running that includes young people.'

Discussing the proposed ban, board member Owen Tierney asked what difference it made whether a 17-year-old was next to a seated or standing drinker.

He said: 'I'm not sure how that's going to make a difference in protecting young people from harm from drinking. Can someone explain the logic of that?'

Mr Craigie questioned the practical implications and added: 'We can't ask folk who have nothing to do with pool or darts to sit down if a 17-year-old happens to be in.'

A majority of the board voted to reject the police bid for a ban on drinking while standing up.

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