The Puffer - LSO Report
Argyll and Bute Council · 25 November 2025
Back to Argyll and Bute Licensing Board — 25 November 2025 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Classification: OFFICIAL LSO REPORT THE PUFFER TEAROOM, BAR & RESTAURANT, SLATE ISLAND FOODS LTD., ON AND OFF SALES, 8 EASDALE ISLAND, BY OBAN, PA34 4TB LSO: The Puffer is a mixed-use premises serving the island community of Easdale. A restaurant/tearoom occupies the front of the premises, and a pub occupies the rear separated by a hallway. The applicant seeks to amend the seasonal variation to allow greater flexibility during the off-peak season and to amend Children and Young Persons conditions. OPERATING PLAN Q4 Seasonal variation Current: From October - Easter. Tearoom/Bar - Thurs, Fri, Sat and Mon 11am - 3pm. Sunday 12.30pm - 3pm (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) Bar - Mon & Thur 7.30pm - 1am. Restaurant/Bar - Fri and Sat 6.00pm - 1am. World stone skimming championships held annually - weekend preceding last Monday in September Saturday 11:00 - 03:00, Sunday 11:00 - 11:00. Christmas and New Year holidays 22/12 - 04/01 open daily 19:30 - 01:00 but Christmas Day and Boxing Day closed. New Years Day open 14:00 - 01:00 Proposed: From October to April, The Puffer will reduce activity in line with demand – this may vary year to year. Hours and activity may increase some weeks when required – such as Christmas and New Year or school holidays. All activity will be advertised in advance of opening. LSO suggestion: Management reserve the right to reduce activity within core hours in line with demand during the period October – April. All activity will be advertised in advance. LSO comment: The Board may wish to consider the seasonal variation as it deviates from current policy. Due to the remote location of the premises, it is not always financially/operationally viable to remain open at all times. Q6 Children and Young Persons Terms Current: Children and young persons will be permitted when accompanied by a supervising adult primarily in connection with family functions such as weddings, birthday parties, etc. or where attending a meal. This would include being on the premises before and after 8.00pm. There is a robust policy in place to ensure no alcohol is purchased or consumed by children or young persons and all staff are vigilant in this connection. Children will be permitted in tearoom alone. Proposed: Children and young persons will be permitted when accompanied by a supervising adult primarily in connection with family functions such as weddings, birthday parties, etc. Or
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Classification: OFFICIAL where attending a meal or watching entertainment such as live music. This would include being on the premises before and after 8.00pm. There is a robust policy in place to ensure no alcohol is purchased or consumed by children or young persons and all staff are vigilant in this connection. Children will be permitted in cafe alone. LSO suggestion: Children and Young Persons will be permitted entry accompanied by an adult aged 18 years or over for the purpose of; consuming food, attending a family function or watching entertainment, such as a live music event. Children and Young Persons will be permitted in the café area unaccompanied, for the purpose of consuming food and/or non-alcoholic beverages. Ages Current: Any age subject to the whole terms of 6(b) above. Proposed: No change LSO suggestion: Children aged 0 – 15 Young Persons aged 16 & 17 Times: Current: At any time with supervising adult, and at any time in tearoom without adult. Proposed: No change LSO suggestion: Until 8pm in the pub area or for the duration of a private function or event. Until 10pm in the tearoom/restaurant area or for the duration of a private function or event. Parts: Current: All areas, subject to terms above, except area in front of bar. Proposed: No change LSO suggestion: all public areas with exception of the immediate vicinity of the bar counter.