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LSO Report - Port Ellen Distillery

Argyll and Bute Council · 27 February 2024
Back to Argyll and Bute Licensing Board — 27 February 2024 and its agenda

Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.

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Page 1

LSO REPORT 
PORT ELLEN DISTILLERY VISITOR CENTRE, PORT ELLEN, ISLE OF ISLAY, PA42 7AF 
The premises are situated in Port Ellen, Isle of Islay. Part of a whisky distillery, the licensed
areas include a visitor centre with retail facilities and tasting areas, pagoda building and
external licensed areas”. 
The premises is associated with Port Ellen distillery and Maltings and may be used in
connection with tours and for other educational activities related to the production of whisky
and other alcoholic products at any time. (See Operating Plan) 
Layout Plans have been submitted in the form of site plan, ground and first floors Pagoda and
outdoor areas, seated and market place style layout. Baby changing facilities to be updated
on the plans 
Operating Plan 
Question 1 Alcohol will be sold consumption both on and off the premises 
Question 2 on sales core hours; 10:00 till 23:00 seven days. Board policy suggests 11:00 for
on sales, the applicant asks the Board to consider 10:00 as this is a visitor’s centre. 
Question 3 Core hours for off sales, 10:00 till 22:00 seven days 
Question 4 Seasonal Variation; Yes
Proposed; the premises may close out with the times stated in light of customer demand or
weather conditions. 
The applicant has been informed of Board policy with regard to seasonal variation i.e. 
Applicants should be aware that the Board anticipates that applicants will only apply for the
licensed hours that they intend to operate. The Board recognises, however, that at certain
times of the year demand may diminish to the point where it is no longer economically viable
for premises to remain open, particularly on weekday evenings. 
The Board expects that premises licence applicants ensure that if they anticipate being
affected by this and wish to close early, for example during the winter months, that this is
specifically referred to in their operating plan. 
For guidance, the Board is likely to consider the following variation acceptable: 
The Management reserve the right to open the business one hour later than the
commencement of licensed core hours or close one hour earlier than termination of core hours
on any day of the week during winter months i.e. 1st October to 31st March.” 
The Agent will address the Board in this regard. 
Question 5 activities
Conference, restaurant, bar meals, receptions, weddings etc., club meetings, recorded music,
live performance, dance, theatre, films, indoor outdoor sport outside drinking. 
The agent has been reminded of Board policy which suggests, outside use will cease from
20:00 for children and young persons and 22:00 for adults.

Page 2

Column 4; activities out with core hours and without alcohol service 
Conferences, receptions and club meetings: The premises may be used prior to or after core
hours for these purposes. 
Recorded music: Music may be played in the premises during the entire hours of operation. 
Live performances & theatre: Live performances and theatrical presentations may take place
on the premises often but not exclusively related to the premises licence holder's products. 
Dance: the premises may be used for dancing at functions and for demonstrations which may
take 
Place out with core hours. 
Films: Films may be shown often but not exclusively related to the premises licence holder's
products. 
Outdoor drinking: The external areas may be used for any of the activities permitted in the
premises including consumption of alcohol. There is a terminal hour of 10pm for the external
area. 
Question 5(f) any other activities 
The premises is associated with Port Ellen distillery and Maltings and may be used in
connection with tours and for other educational activities related to the production of whisky
and other alcoholic products at any time. 
The premises will be used for education in and promotion of Diageo products to Diageo
employees and other parties and may be used more generally for training purposes including
outwith core hours. 
The premises has retail facilities which sell alcohol and other products. 
The premises may be used for the taking and dispatch of orders including by electronic
commerce. 
The premises may be used for tastings/sampling of whisky and other alcoholic and food
products.  
The premises may be used for charity events, dinners, talks and cookery and other
demonstrations. 
Both internal and external areas may be used for market purposes where third parties exhibit
and sell food, drink and other products. 
Light food offerings may be provided within the premises and external areas. 
The premises may be used for arts, crafts and creative demonstrations and workshops. 
Electronic games and interactive facilities may be available on the premises. 
The premises may be used as a venue for the Islay Festivals

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Question 6 Children and Young Persons
Terms; 
Proposed; Children may be permitted access on the premises if accompanied by an adult.
Young persons may be permitted access unaccompanied. 
LSO suggestion; Children may be permitted access on the premises if accompanied by an
adult aged 18 or over. Young persons may be permitted access unaccompanied. 
Ages;
Proposed; All ages of children and young persons may be permitted on the premises. 
LSO suggestion; Children 0-15 Young Persons 16 & 17 
Times;
Proposed; at all times the premises are open. 
LSO Suggestion; Children and Young persons may remain on the premises till 22:00 or for
the duration of any pre-booked function or event. 
Parts
Proposed; Children and young persons may be permitted on all public parts of the premises. 
LSO suggestion; Children and young persons may be permitted on all public parts of the
premises. With exception of the immediate vicinity of any bar counter. 
The Agent has agreed to discuss my suggestions with the applicant and will address the Board
on the finer detail. 
Question 7 Capacity 
Off sales 40.5m2, 60.56m3 
On sales 748 
Breakdown:  Visitor Centre: 204 Pagoda: 44 External Areas: 500 
EHO; The EHO has submitted the following comments 
The business will be required to register as a food business with Environmental Health to
include the proposed restaurant and bar meal facilities.  They will need to apply for a Section
50 certificate if not already done so. Within the application there is a proposal to have dance
functions and an outdoor seating area. Given the close proximity of neighbouring residential
properties to the site, it may be beneficial for the operator to write up a noise management
plan for use of the outdoor seating area (i.e. closed after a certain time at night, restrictions on
guests playing any amplified music etc.) and for patrons leaving the premises late after any
dance or similar functions. 
The agent has sent a noise management plan to the EHO.  The EHO has agreed the plan and
asks that it is implemented as part of day to day operations.