Music nights at Perth pub

Feb 16 2010 by Johnathon Menzies, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

A PERTH pub had its birthday plans tempered after an application for extended opening hours was refused.

Management from Belhaven Brewery asked members of Perth and Kinross licensing board to allow the Foundry Bar to stay open until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, those behind the Murray Street premises hoped the extra 30 minutes would allow it to host regular music nights.

A Belhaven spokesman said the move was necessary as there were “two or three similar venues with entertainment facilities a stone’s throw from the Foundry”.

Tayside Police Chief Inspector Dave Barclay said he had “no concerns” about the applicants because police were already needed to monitor other pubs and nightclubs that stay open later in Perth city centre.

But he added that if a similar move was sanctioned outside of Perth it “could cause problems”.

After retiring to consider their verdict, the board unanimously agreed that acoustic music – performed by no more than three musicians at one time – should be allowed.

But the Foundry’s closing time was to remain at 12.30am.

The brewery representative also assured those gathered that concerns about noise raised by the nearby Perth Congregational Church, as well as residential neighbours, would be looked into.