A request to serve alcohol at a child's first birthday party in South Ayrshire has been denied by the local licensing board. The applicant, interim centre coordinator Wendy Murdoch, had sought permission to hold a licensed event at the Carrick Centre in Maybole on 12pm to 5pm on Saturday, 10 October, arguing that families increasingly want alcohol-permitted celebrations as an alternative to traditional christenings.
The South Ayrshire Licensing Board unanimously rejected the occasional licence application at its latest meeting. The formal reason cited was that granting the licence would conflict with the licensing objective of protecting children and young people from harm.
Murdoch's application was for a "Child's 1st Birthday Party with buffet and Children's Entertainer" and sought both on-sales and off-sales licences. The event was expected to accommodate a maximum of 60 guests—friends and family of the parents—who would be catered for across the bar area and main hall. Under the proposed arrangement, children would have been confined to the main hall, where no alcohol would be served directly, though adults who purchased drinks at the bar could carry them into that space.
Why did the licensing board object?
Licensing Standards Officer Catrina Andrew objected to the application, emphasising that no licences for children's events had been granted in South Ayrshire since the Licensing Scotland Act 2005 came into force. She acknowledged that occasional licences had previously been granted for christenings, but stressed that each application must be assessed individually on its merits, and that liquor licences for children's events were not something the authority would typically approve.
Andrew's written report noted that the Carrick Centre had been in discussions with officers for several months about licensed events. The facility had previously trialled a "community bar" using occasional licences before deciding that a permanent licence was not financially viable or suited to its multiple-use purpose as a shared facility with the church. As a result, any licensed activities, events or functions at the centre now require an occasional licence. The report documented that several such licences had already been granted that year, including for family parties, community events and monthly quiz nights.
What arguments did the applicant make?
Murdoch contended that the request reflected evolving family celebration practices. She claimed that many families were requesting licensed children's parties as an alternative to christenings, particularly those who do not attend church. She stated that the bar would be operated by herself or another trained member of staff, and that she held a personal licence holder qualification.
However, councillors and local authority officers questioned the comparison between a christening celebration and a children's birthday party with entertainment. Councillor Bob Pollock backed the officer's objection, arguing that a licence would be inconsistent with a children's birthday party featuring entertainment. Councillor Duncan Townson expressed discomfort with the prospect of intoxicated adults in the same space as young children, saying he could not imagine alcohol being necessary at a child's birthday party.
What are the rules for occasional licences?
According to South Ayrshire Council guidance, occasional licences are distinct from premises licences and are designed to authorise alcohol sales for events held outside licensed premises. Council licensing guidance indicates that board policy can attach conditions such as prohibiting under-18s in bar areas to advance child-protection objectives. For voluntary organisations, occasional licences are subject to set limits, including no more than 56 licensable days in a 12-month period for shorter events.
What happens next?
Any future licensing-board decision or follow-up application would need to comply with the council's occasional-licence timetable. Applications must be submitted at least 28 days before the event date, and an occasional licence can last no more than 14 days.
The board's decision was reached by five votes to zero.
