The owners of an Angus pool hall are hoping to give youngsters their big break in billiards following a landmark licensing board decision.
Children as young as 12 will now be allowed entry into Shotz pool hall in Arbroath after age restrictions were relaxed following careful consideration by the members of the board.
Brothers Ryan and Marc Fleming, owners of Shotz, welcomed the decision after the initial application, which sought permission for children of all ages to be allowed in the premises, was met with stiff opposition from Councillor Alex King.
Marc, 23, said: “We have a lot of young people around that age who want to come in, so it’s great for them. It has mostly been young people using the hall, so it will make a big difference.”
Mr King had expressed concern about allowing children of any age into a licensed premises and forwarded a motion to change the age limit to 14 at the recent board meeting.
“I think that’s a reasonable level of time to start allowing children in, bearing in mind the height of a pool table and snooker table,” said Mr King.
“These are not children’s tables we’re talking about they’re all full-size tables.
“Also, considering the size of the bar in these premises, it’s not a serving hatch in the wall where members are getting a drink it’s a full-size bar that’s open to the public.
“I’m concerned that it’s going to be a place where fathers take young children and place them in the corner with a can of juice and a packet of crisps while they play pool or snooker.
“I’m very much in the mind to up the age to early teens.”
Anne McKeown, legal representation for Shotz, said the Fleming brothers began playing pool for Scotland when they were around 11 and the youngest person representing Scotland this year was between the age of 11 and 12.
“This is a sport that is accustomed to people participating younger than 14 years old,” said Ms McKeown.
“The brothers are intending that young people would have to be accompanied by a responsible adult. In the fullness of time some of the members will appreciate the efforts these two young men are going to. If they can get a licence they would operate on a members’ club-type basis, but they have to start somewhere.”
Richard Jones, owner of the Ram’s Heid in Arbroath, appeared in objection to the application and said that granting the licence would give Shotz an “unfair advantage” over other establishments.
Despite this, Mr King forwarded a motion to grant the licence but restrict the age of children to 14 years old.
Councillor David Fairweather proposed an amendment to drop the age to 12 years and over, which took the decision to a vote.
He said: “Having visited the premises on a couple of occasions, I do agree they are certainly more specialist.
“The cost of the tables must have been phenomenal, but they are not there just for the purpose of people coming in off the street just to play pool.
“It’s also interesting to hear the two young men have been playing pool since they were young. For these premises, I would say 12 years old would be a suitable age.”
Mr Fairweather’s amendment was carried six votes to three and the application was granted on the basis that children are accompanied by a responsible adult and are only permitted entry for tuition.