10/06/2026
Good evening everyone, we have received back final decisions from Aberdeenshire Council licence board regarding young persons and children attending our 3 World Cup Scotland events, I’ve attached the final email received today and you will see that the nail has been firmly nailed into the coffin, me and my family have made a huge and scary decision to invest everything we have into the hospitality sector and have worked hard the last 9 weeks injecting life back into the Leys Hotel, this establishment has such great potential to grow and prove that communities do need and relay on such a venue, our 1st live band night last Friday was living proof on what people want, our main focus when taking on this great establishment was to move with the times and turn the thinking of the local pub into the community hub. Over the 9 weeks we have seen so many new faces and appreciated all your nice and positive comments on how our small and continuous changes are good and encouraging, so to all those people I can’t thank you enough. Tonight we have contacted everyone who purchased family tickets and refunded 86 tickets already, we have left messages for those who didn’t answer for you to get in touch as we won’t be able to allow any young person entry on the evening.
I would like to thank our licensing solicitor David for all his time and effort over the last month assisting us with the ongoing issues
We will review our sales tomorrow evening and update you on the situation of the 1st game being shown in the Adam Suite
Please see the email below -
Good evening David and Jamie
I’m afraid I still do not believe young persons are permitted in the Adams Suite for the showing of the games despite the requirement to purchase a ticket to gain entry. Whilst it is a ticketed event it is not considered a private function by either myself or Aberdeenshire Licensing Board.
The difference between a private function and a ticketed event comes down to who can attend, how people get in and how it is organised. A private function is an event which is not open to the general public. Examples are a wedding reception, birthday celebration, cooperate hire. With private functions the attendance would be restricted to invited guests only, usually organised for a specific group of people, invited guests normally do not pay for entry and there is no requirement for the function to be publicly advertised. A ticketed event is open to members of the public where entry is gained by buying or obtaining a ticket. These events are publicly advertised and anyone can attend providing they have a ticket.
The showing of the World Cup game in the Adams Suite is therefore a ticketed event and not a private function.
In addition to my understanding of what a private function is vs a ticketed event, I have also taken the opportunity to check social media with all World Cup posts suggesting the showing of the games in the Adams Suite is a ticketed event. Only 2 days ago there was a post as well as an event created on Facebook advertising the game being shown in the Adams Suite with tickets being available behind the bar. The advertising suggests tickets are available to be purchased by the general public and not exclusive hire by Blackburn Scotland Supporters Club. There is also a post from yesterday afternoon that advises that the bar and restaurant have temporarily been relocated to the Adams Suite due to upgrade works taking place within the hotel. There are no timescales detailed on how long this is going to be in place so of course I understand it could be reverted back in time for the first Scotland game on Sunday morning.
The Leys Hotel Blackburn: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574376146959.
Within the guidance provided by Aberdeenshire Licensing Board in relation to the general extension, the Board have recommended a number of measures are put into place in order to comply with the licensing objectives. One of the measures licence holders were asked to consider was to operate an advance ticket only system to manage capacity and prevent overcrowding. However, by ticketing the showing of the games it does not mean the event becomes a private function as any members of the public are able to purchase tickets in advance of the commencement of the game. There are no other activities permitted when utilising the general extension – the only activity permitted is the showing of the live broadcast of the World Cup game and the Licensing Board do not consider the showing of televised sport as a private function.
Kind regards
Civic Licensing Standards Officer
Aberdeenshire Council - Environmental Health
