The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board met on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, to consider a range of applications, including premises licences, major variations, and extensions to closure. The Board granted several applications for premises licences and major variations for Tesco stores across Aberdeenshire, approved a provisional premises licence for Twistillery Ltd, and granted a major variation for Bridge of Dye Steading. A request for an extension to the closure of the Vale Hotel was granted until the August board meeting. The Board also considered an application for a personal licence for Olivia Smith, which was granted, and applications for occasional licences for Craig Ewan House, which were also granted.

Premises Licences Granted

The Board considered several non-contentious applications for premises and provisional premises licences.

• Bridge of Dye Steading, Strachan, Banchory: Granted, subject to agreed local conditions. This application was for off-sales only, primarily for guests of the holiday accommodation, with online sales also available.
• Twistillery Ltd, Cairnlea of Melrose, Gamrie: Granted in principle, subject to the approval of amended documents by the licensing standards officer and agreed local conditions. This application sought a provisional premises licence for a gin and beer production facility with limited off-sales and tours.

Major Variations of Premises Licences Approved

A significant number of applications for major variations to premises licences were considered, primarily for Tesco stores. All were granted subject to agreed local conditions.

• Tesco Stores Limited applications were granted for the following locations:
  • Tesco Store, Welwyn Garden City (for multiple stores including Welwyn Garden City, West Hill, Huntly, Cairnhill Road Newtonhill, Hill of Banchory, and Kirkton Petrol Station, Stonehaven). These variations generally involved amendments to the operating plan, minor adjustments to off-sale capacity, and corrections to layout plans.
• Bridge Bar, Ellon: Granted, subject to agreed local conditions. This variation sought to add indoor/outdoor sports as an activity and reflect the addition of a pool table.
• The New Inn Hotel, Aberchirder: Granted in principle, subject to agreement on the revised operating plan by the licensing standards officer and agreed local conditions. This application sought to add outdoor drinking, update the operating plan to reflect various activities, and amend access for children and young persons.
• Central Filling Station, Turriff: Granted, subject to agreed local conditions. This application sought to extend core hours, add recorded music, and include food to go and parcel collection services, alongside a slight reduction in alcohol capacity.

Tesco, Fraserburgh Superstore - Major Variation Hearing

An application for a major variation for Tesco Store, Fraserburgh Superstore was heard. The application sought a slight increase in alcohol capacity and clarification on byelaw conditions. Despite Fraserburgh being identified as an area of over-provision in relation to off-sale premises, the Board granted the application. This decision was made on the basis that the increase in capacity was minimal and considered a technicality due to re-measuring, and that condition 45 relating to bylaws was not appropriate for off-sales.

Tesco Extra, Harlaw Road, Inverurie - Major Variation Hearing

An application for a major variation for Tesco Extra, Harlaw Road, Inverurie was heard. Inverurie is subject to a watching brief policy regarding over-provision. The application sought a slight increase in capacity. The Board granted the application, noting that the increase in capacity did not negatively impact the over-provision statistics for Inverurie.

Extension to Closure of Licensed Premises - The Vale Hotel, Fyvie

A hearing was held regarding a request for an extension to the closure of The Vale Hotel, Fyvie. The premises had been closed for approximately 17 months, exceeding the four-month period outlined in the Board's policy. After deliberation, the Board voted to grant a further extension until the August board meeting, with the matter to be considered by the Board Convenor. This decision was made by a vote of five to four.

Application for Grant of Personal Licence - Olivia Smith

A hearing was held for an application for a personal licence for Olivia Smith. Police Scotland confirmed a relevant conviction for supply of a controlled drug. Following submissions from Ms Smith, who expressed remorse and outlined steps taken to reform her life, and PC James Stewart of Police Scotland, who presented the conviction details, the Board unanimously granted the licence. Members were satisfied that Ms Smith was a fit and proper person to hold a personal licence.

Applications for Occasional Licence - Craig Ewan House, Rathen, Fraserburgh

David Smith applied for occasional licences for Craig Ewan House, Rathen, Fraserburgh. These applications were brought before the Board due to the repeated nature of the requests, which had reached the threshold outlined in the Board's repeated occasional licensing policy. The Board granted the specific occasional licences applied for, extending trading until 2nd July 2026. Furthermore, any future applications for occasional licences were delegated to the Deputy Clerk, in consultation with the Chair, provided the provisional premises licence application was progressing.

Date of Next Board Meeting

The date of the next Board Meeting was noted as 24th June 2026.