PUBS that want late licences will be forced to install sick bays and CCTV to cope with an expected rise in alcohol-fuelled violence.

Under the new Licensing Bill — which allows 24-hour drinking in Scotland — pub, club and bar owners will also have to employ more door staff and charge entrance fees to pay for increased security.

The measures are designed to bring pubs into line with nightclubs in order to cope with an influx of late-night revellers and drunken trouble-makers.

Many publicans have condemned the expensive safety measures, which they argue are not needed in smaller establishments away from busy city centres.

Currently, only a handful of the country’s biggest nightclubs are required to meet the conditions. It is anticipated that hundreds of pubs that had intended to apply for extended licences will now not do so because of the cost involved.

The clause allowing the imposition of mandatory safety measures was included in an 11th-hour amendment to the Licensing Bill, approved by MSPs earlier this month amid chaotic scenes.

The list of conditions, including first aid rooms and CCTV systems, is being drawn up by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA). Under the proposals, pubs would have to set aside a dedicated first-aid room equipped with a bed and basic medical provisions such as plasters, blankets and a mouthpiece for cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Pubs would also have to set up CCTV systems inside and outside their premises and employ a minimum of one bouncer or steward for every 75 patrons. An admission charge of up to £3 would also have to be levied to pay for the security measures and staff training.

Pubs and bars wishing to stay open after 1am would have to offer “entertainment” such as a dancing area to avoid them becoming drinking dens. “Super pubs”, which have restaurant areas, would have to continue serving food until closing time.

According to the SLTA, the measures are needed because pubs and bars, unlike nightclubs, are not used to handling hordes of drunks.

“We realise there will be controversy over this,” said Paul Waterson, the chief executive of the SLTA. “But we need some strict and compulsory health and safety measures to ensure standards in the industry are maintained.”

Patrick Browne of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, which represents 1,500 pubs, described the proposals as “ridiculous”. He said safety measures should be a matter for local licensing boards.

“In your typical community rural or city centre pub that may only accommodate 100 customers on a Friday or Saturday night it doesn’t make a lot of sense to have mandatory requirements,” he said.

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