A caravan park in Inveraray has been granted a variation to its premises licence, allowing children aged 12 and over to enter its food and drink area unaccompanied for the purpose of ordering food.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Argyll and Bute licensing board on Tuesday, September 23.
The application was submitted by the management of the Hub at Argyll Caravan Park, which also sought adjustments to the times when children and young people are permitted on the premises.
Licensing officials reviewed the request and expressed confidence that safeguards were in place to ensure the venue remains suitable for families.
Barbara Dawson, speaking in support of the application, said:
“This is about providing a safe and welcoming environment for all our customers. We think it is a relatively controlled community environment here. The residents of the park have a vested interest in good behaviour, and we have systems and procedures in place to manage this variation responsibly.”
Licensing standards officer Jacklyn Robertson explained the practical changes under the revised terms.
“The current terms do not permit anybody under 18 to be on the premises without an adult. They are quite convoluted, so we have tried to implement the terms the Hub wants and rearranged them into appropriate headings,” she said.
She added that children aged 12 to 15 would now be permitted on the premises when consuming food or soft drinks or collecting takeaway food.
Children under 12 must remain accompanied by an adult. Unaccompanied 12- to 15-year-olds will be allowed entry until 7 p.m., while those accompanied by an adult may remain until 9 p.m. if eating a meal or attending a booked function.
Councillor Kieron Green asked whether the facility was designed to provide adequate space for children and young people.
In response, Dawson highlighted that the Hub includes a library section and is frequently used by families, noting that older children sometimes prefer to order food independently rather than rely on staff.
“We have a process where they have to come into reception, which is in a separate part of the building,” Dawson told the Helensburgh Advertiser.
“If the reception staff are able to, they come through and order the food on their behalf. It would make it a lot easier if they were able to come in and order the food themselves.”
Following the discussion, the board agreed unanimously to grant the licence variation.
For outdoor hospitality operators, this case reflects how licensing conditions can be adapted to better accommodate family guests while maintaining compliance and safety.
Operators considering similar adjustments may find value in reviewing their own policies around unaccompanied minors, particularly in family-oriented destinations where food and beverage services play a central role.