How are bars and nightclubs in Scotland using extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours? Venue observation study

Carol Emslie; Karen Maxwell; Rachel O'Donnell; Gemma Mitchell; Megan Cook; Isabelle Uny; James Nicholls; Jim Lewsey; Emma McIntosh; Colin Angus; Andrea Mohan; Niamh Fitzgerald

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105210

How are bars and nightclubs in Scotland using extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours? Venue observation study

Carol Emslie (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Karen Maxwell
, Rachel O'Donnell
, Gemma Mitchell
, Megan Cook
, Isabelle Uny
, James Nicholls
, Jim Lewsey
, Emma McIntosh
, Colin Angus
, Andrea Mohan
, Niamh Fitzgerald

Health Sciences

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Introduction Late-night alcohol trading hours are generally associated with increased alcohol-related harm. Since 2018, two Scottish cities have allowed extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours with the aim of revitalising the night-time economy. This is the first study to directly observe whether and how bars and nightclubs use these extensions, and collect rich qualitative data about venue environment and staff behaviour. Methods Trained, paired fieldworkers, behaving as customers, completed semi-structured observation schedules on mobile devices during repeated visits to 15 purposively sampled venues in 2023–24 (5 venues in Glasgow and 10 in Aberdeen: total of 313 h of observation). In-depth qualitative fieldnotes were completed within 48 h of visits. Results Half of the venues closed early on at least one fieldworker visit without using all of their later trading hours. Venues using their extended hours were observed to be at low occupancy on at least one visit. Fieldworkers observed bar staff serving alcohol to intoxicated customers in every venue. In half of the venues, ‘shot girls’ were observed persistently approaching customers, including those who appeared intoxicated. Conclusions Extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours granted in two Scottish cities were not used consistently by venues due to lack of demand by customers. The late-night sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers was routine. Our findings challenge the assumption that later trading hours benefit the night-time economy and highlight the likelihood of associated alcohol-related harms.

Original language	English
Article number	105210
Number of pages	10
Journal	International Journal of Drug Policy
Volume	151
Early online date	26 Feb 2026
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105210
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 26 Feb 2026

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Keywords

Alcohol availability
Bars
Nightclubs
Observation
On-sales
Opening hours
Public health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Medicine (miscellaneous)
Health Policy

Access to Document

10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105210Licence: CC BY

Final Published VersionFinal published version, 695 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Emslie, C., Maxwell, K., O'Donnell, R., Mitchell, G., Cook, M., Uny, I., Nicholls, J., Lewsey, J., McIntosh, E., Angus, C., Mohan, A., & Fitzgerald, N. (2026). How are bars and nightclubs in Scotland using extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours? Venue observation study. International Journal of Drug Policy, 151, Article 105210. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105210

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abstract = "Introduction Late-night alcohol trading hours are generally associated with increased alcohol-related harm. Since 2018, two Scottish cities have allowed extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours with the aim of revitalising the night-time economy. This is the first study to directly observe whether and how bars and nightclubs use these extensions, and collect rich qualitative data about venue environment and staff behaviour. Methods Trained, paired fieldworkers, behaving as customers, completed semi-structured observation schedules on mobile devices during repeated visits to 15 purposively sampled venues in 2023–24 (5 venues in Glasgow and 10 in Aberdeen: total of 313 h of observation). In-depth qualitative fieldnotes were completed within 48 h of visits. Results Half of the venues closed early on at least one fieldworker visit without using all of their later trading hours. Venues using their extended hours were observed to be at low occupancy on at least one visit. Fieldworkers observed bar staff serving alcohol to intoxicated customers in every venue. In half of the venues, {\textquoteleft}shot girls{\textquoteright} were observed persistently approaching customers, including those who appeared intoxicated. Conclusions Extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours granted in two Scottish cities were not used consistently by venues due to lack of demand by customers. The late-night sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers was routine. Our findings challenge the assumption that later trading hours benefit the night-time economy and highlight the likelihood of associated alcohol-related harms.",

keywords = "Alcohol availability, Bars, Nightclubs, Observation, On-sales, Opening hours, Public health",

author = "Carol Emslie and Karen Maxwell and Rachel O'Donnell and Gemma Mitchell and Megan Cook and Isabelle Uny and James Nicholls and Jim Lewsey and Emma McIntosh and Colin Angus and Andrea Mohan and Niamh Fitzgerald",

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doi = "10.1016/j.drugpo.2026.105210",

language = "English",

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AU - Emslie, Carol

AU - Maxwell, Karen

AU - O'Donnell, Rachel

AU - Mitchell, Gemma

AU - Cook, Megan

AU - Uny, Isabelle

AU - Nicholls, James

AU - Lewsey, Jim

AU - McIntosh, Emma

AU - Angus, Colin

AU - Mohan, Andrea

AU - Fitzgerald, Niamh

PY - 2026/2/26

Y1 - 2026/2/26

N2 - Introduction Late-night alcohol trading hours are generally associated with increased alcohol-related harm. Since 2018, two Scottish cities have allowed extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours with the aim of revitalising the night-time economy. This is the first study to directly observe whether and how bars and nightclubs use these extensions, and collect rich qualitative data about venue environment and staff behaviour. Methods Trained, paired fieldworkers, behaving as customers, completed semi-structured observation schedules on mobile devices during repeated visits to 15 purposively sampled venues in 2023–24 (5 venues in Glasgow and 10 in Aberdeen: total of 313 h of observation). In-depth qualitative fieldnotes were completed within 48 h of visits. Results Half of the venues closed early on at least one fieldworker visit without using all of their later trading hours. Venues using their extended hours were observed to be at low occupancy on at least one visit. Fieldworkers observed bar staff serving alcohol to intoxicated customers in every venue. In half of the venues, ‘shot girls’ were observed persistently approaching customers, including those who appeared intoxicated. Conclusions Extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours granted in two Scottish cities were not used consistently by venues due to lack of demand by customers. The late-night sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers was routine. Our findings challenge the assumption that later trading hours benefit the night-time economy and highlight the likelihood of associated alcohol-related harms.

AB - Introduction Late-night alcohol trading hours are generally associated with increased alcohol-related harm. Since 2018, two Scottish cities have allowed extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours with the aim of revitalising the night-time economy. This is the first study to directly observe whether and how bars and nightclubs use these extensions, and collect rich qualitative data about venue environment and staff behaviour. Methods Trained, paired fieldworkers, behaving as customers, completed semi-structured observation schedules on mobile devices during repeated visits to 15 purposively sampled venues in 2023–24 (5 venues in Glasgow and 10 in Aberdeen: total of 313 h of observation). In-depth qualitative fieldnotes were completed within 48 h of visits. Results Half of the venues closed early on at least one fieldworker visit without using all of their later trading hours. Venues using their extended hours were observed to be at low occupancy on at least one visit. Fieldworkers observed bar staff serving alcohol to intoxicated customers in every venue. In half of the venues, ‘shot girls’ were observed persistently approaching customers, including those who appeared intoxicated. Conclusions Extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours granted in two Scottish cities were not used consistently by venues due to lack of demand by customers. The late-night sale of alcohol to intoxicated customers was routine. Our findings challenge the assumption that later trading hours benefit the night-time economy and highlight the likelihood of associated alcohol-related harms.

KW - Alcohol availability

KW - Bars

KW - Nightclubs

KW - Observation

KW - On-sales

KW - Opening hours

KW - Public health

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JO - International Journal of Drug Policy

JF - International Journal of Drug Policy

M1 - 105210

ER -

How are bars and nightclubs in Scotland using extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours? Venue observation study

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Evaluating Later or Expanded Premises Hours For Alcohol In The Night-time Economy (ELEPHANT): a Mixed-methods, Natural Experiment Evaluation(joint with Stirling University, Glasgow University, Sheffield University, Glasgow Caledonian University and Glasgow City HSCP)

Cite this

How are bars and nightclubs in Scotland using extensions in late-night alcohol trading hours? Venue observation study

Abstract

UN SDGs

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Evaluating Later or Expanded Premises Hours For Alcohol In The Night-time Economy (ELEPHANT): a Mixed-methods, Natural Experiment Evaluation(joint with Stirling University, Glasgow University, Sheffield University, Glasgow Caledonian University and Glasgow City HSCP)

Cite this