Monday May 25th 2026
East Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
A licensed cafe bar in Dunbar is facing a licence review after complaints it was running ‘irresponsible’drinks promotions.
The Bear and Bull, on the town’s High Street, first came to the attention of East Lothian Council’s licensing standards officer in January when it offered customers half price booze when they ordered food.
In a report due to go to the Council’s licensing board later this week the officer says the promotion which offered 50 per cent off any drink with breakfast, lunch and dinner was irresponsible as well as saying it breached several licensing conditions.
Despite raising concerns with the premises licence holder they say further promotions including a scavenger hunt where people could find vouchers for free drinks in the cafe and a karaoke night which offered free drinks to singers were also publicised in the months that followed also breaching licensing rules.
It also came to light the premises manager who was required to be in place if alcohol was being served had left in 2024 meaning it could have been sold illegally for up to 18 months.
The trading standards officer asked the board to review the premises licence after saying they were concerned about the licence holder’s lack of knowledge of the board’s policies.
In their report they say: “I highlighted that the problems all seem to have occurred due to the absence of a premises manager.
“I detailed it had been a significant period that the premises had sold alcohol without a premises manager and that breaches of the premises licence conditions are a criminal offence.”
In their conclusion they tell the board they believe the recent promotions showed the licence holder’s failure of her responsibility and she had shown a ‘disregard’ for licensing law and it’s objectives.
They say: “There was an attempt to obstruct a licensing standards officer by not disclosing during conversations and emails that the premises manager had left over 18 months prior.
“Consideration should be made if the premises licence holder is a fit and proper person to hold a premises licence.”
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