A CONTROVERSIAL plan to force drinkers to use plastic tumblers after 9pm – even for cocktails – has been scrapped.
Highland Council wanted to ban even the quietest, most remote bars in the region from using glass in the evenings.
The move was made on safety grounds but prompted a barrage of criticism from landlords who claimed drinkers were being “treated like children”.
Highland’s licensing board has now decided to ditch the plan, agreeing it is about time alcohol is treated as a “grown up matter.”
The move to drop plastic containers is supported by The Scottish Whisky Association which claims that drinking whisky from plastic glasses ruins the taste.
Don Lawson, the chairman of Inverness Pub Watch, said that dropping the ban will make a “major difference” to Inverness’s image.
He said: “This is a vote of confidence for the hospitality industry in the Highlands.
“It will make a major difference to the city’s image. Drinking out of plastic tumblers has been one of the biggest issues mentioned to me by people in my pubs.”
Eric Devenny, operations manager of the Gellions pub, said he was pleased that the plans have been abandoned.
He said: “This is a good move for the city. Using plastic glasses gave a worrying view of Inverness.”
During the meeting, councillor Richard Laird, Inverness Central, said: “I think it is about time that this country started to treat alcohol as a grown up matter rather than infantilising people.”
He added he would like to see bar staff using “common sense” when they served people.
Councillor Alan Duffy, Inverness West, said: “Using plastic is treating people like children.”
The ban which had been discussed as a way to prevent potential “glassing” incidents.
Last year, Lorne Campbell from Inverness was left with permanent scars and disfigurement after he was attacked with a glass in an Inverness pub.
The ban on glass could still be imposed on individual bars which have problems with violence.
