The Aberdeenshire Licensing Board met on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, to consider a range of applications for premises and personal licences. The Board granted several applications for premises licences, including those for the Strong Water Company in Ballater and Craig Ewan House near Fraserburgh. Variations were also approved for Strathbogey Service Station in Huntly, Kite Dinnet Aboing, Maud Football Club, Banff Town and County Club, Drum of Wartle Filling Station, and Drumlithie Inn. A hearing was held for Big Manny's Pizza in Peterhead due to the area's overprovision policy, and the application was granted. Della Café and Bistro's application was also granted after an objection was deemed not competent. Tesco in Banff had a major variation application granted, and an application for a personal licence for Adam Crookshank was approved. BrewDog in Inverurie had three consecutive occasional licence applications granted. Finally, the Board agreed on meeting dates for the 2027-2028 committee cycle.

Applications for Premises and Provisional Premises Licences

The Board considered several applications for premises and provisional premises licences.

• The Strong Water Company, Ballater: A provisional premises licence was granted for a retail shop selling wine, spirits, and cigars, including a tasting room. The licence permits on-sales from 11 am to 11 pm and off-sales from 10 am to 10 pm, Monday to Sunday. Children will be permitted access to the retail area when accompanied by an adult.
• Craig Ewan House, near Fraserburgh: A provisional premises licence was granted for off-sales only, targeting a luxury market. Alcohol will be sold via third-party courier delivery, with no collection offered. The premises consist of a warehouse and processing room.
• Big Manny's Pizza/Keystore, Peterhead: A provisional premises licence was granted for a combined pizza takeaway, convenience store, and off-licence. This application proceeded to a hearing due to Peterhead being identified as an area of overprovision for off-sales premises. The applicant successfully argued that the business model was food-led, with alcohol sales being ancillary.
• Della Café and Bistro, Ellon: The Board found an objection to be not competent, deeming planning concerns and parking issues to be outside the scope of a premises licence. Consequently, the licence was granted as non-contentious.

Applications for Major Variation of Premises Licences

Several applications for major variations to existing premises licences were considered and granted:

• Strathbogey Service Station, Huntly: Variations were approved to amend the off-sale commencement of alcohol on Sundays to 10 am and to specify closure on Christmas Day with reduced trading hours on Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
• Kite Dinnet Aboing: A variation was granted to include the provision of short-term lets at the premises. Alcohol sales will not be subject to the short-term lets.
• Maud Football Club: Variations were approved to amend on-sale and off-sale commencement hours, introduce seasonal variations for extended hours, and add provisions for various events such as karaoke, funeral teas, quiz nights, and film nights.
• Banff Town and County Club: Variations were approved to amend on-sale and off-sale hours, seasonal variations for events, and to add a range of activities including film showings, craft fairs, and business functions. The club also received permission to place marquees on the bowling green for occasional events.
• Drum of Wartle Filling Station, Meikle Wartle: Variations were approved to amend off-sale core hours, add background music and a food and alcohol delivery service as activities, and amend the capacity of the alcohol display area.
• Drumlithy Inn: A variation was granted in principle, pending receipt of an updated operating plan. The application included amendments to the premises name to Steeple Cafe Bar, variations to on-sale and off-sale hours, and the addition of various activities including conference facilities, bar meals, and artisan craft sales.
• Tesco, Banff: A major variation was granted, which included a very small increase in the capacity of the alcohol display area. This was approved on the basis that the applicant justified a departure from the board's watching brief overprovision policy.

Applications for Personal Licence

• Adam Crookshank: An application for a personal licence was granted. The applicant had a prior military conviction which was disclosed and discussed. The Board was satisfied that none of the grounds for refusal applied.

Combined Annual Functions and Finance Report

The Board considered and approved the Combined Functions and Finance Report for the year 1st April 2025 to 31st March 2026. The report detailed the board's achievements, compliance with policy and licensing objectives, and financial income and expenditure. Income had increased slightly, with a reduction in expenses, resulting in a profit. However, a caution was issued regarding a large outstanding legal bill from a previous licensing appeal.

Date of Next Board Meeting

The Board noted that the next meeting would be held on 26th August 2026.

Extension to Closure of Licensed Premises

The Board considered requests for extensions to the closure of licensed premises.

• White Heather Hotel, Turriff: The Board noted that no formal progress had been made towards reopening or sale, and the licence had ceased to have effect under Section 28.5 of the Act. The extension was not granted.
• Dunecht Sports Bar: The Board noted a lack of substantive progress and agreed that the licence had ceased to have effect. The extension was not granted.
• The Vale Hotel, Fyvie: The Board granted a six-month extension to the closure period, with the requirement for the licence holder to return to the Board for further reconsideration and to provide evidence of progress.
• Kintore Arms Hotel, Inverurie: The Board granted a six-month extension to the closure period, with the requirement for the licence holder to return to the Board for further reconsideration and to show evidence of progress.

Applications for Occasional Licence

• BrewDog, Inverurie: Three consecutive occasional licence applications were granted to cover trading periods between 20th September and 29th October 2026. These were granted pending the determination of a new premises licence application.

Board Meeting Dates for Committee Cycle 2027-2028

The Board agreed on proposed dates for committee meetings for the 2027-2028 cycle, with a proviso that two dates in June 2027 would be confirmed once potential clashes with council committee meetings were resolved. It was noted that physical meetings would take place in Woodhill House, but board meetings would continue to be held virtually. All meetings would commence at 10:15 am.

Applications for Major Variation - Scotmid

Applications for major variations to premises licences for Scotmid stores in Tillybrake, Torphins, Banff, and Inverbervie were considered. The variations included updating the premises licence description to include a home delivery service and amending Q5(f) to include this activity. The Licensing Standards Officer recommended local conditions, including the requirement for alcohol deliveries to be signed for upon receipt. The applicants sought exemption from this condition. The Board considered the applications on their merits, with the decision on the contested condition to be made by the Board.

Application for Provisional Premises Licence - Sainsbury's Store, Inverurie

An application for a provisional premises licence for Sainsbury's Store in Inverurie was considered. The application was subject to the Board's overprovision policy for off-sales premises in Inverurie. The applicant was required to demonstrate that the grant of the application would not undermine the licensing objectives or that the benefits outweighed the identified harms. The application was granted, subject to agreed local and specific conditions.