Evaluating Later and Expanded Premises Hours for Alcohol in the Night-time Economy (ELEPHANT)

Strong international evidence suggests that modest increases in late night opening hours for alcohol premises are linked to significant increases in intoxication, assaults and injuries, and create an increased burden on services, especially ambulance, A&E and police services. In Scotland, the impact of expansions or contractions of opening hours has been little studied, with no studies considering potential benefits or changes in police enforcement or costs incurred which may mitigate harms.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, changes to the alcohol licensing policy in two Scottish cities, Glasgow and Aberdeen, resulted in an increase in opening hours for bars and clubs. This study will examine the increase in licensed hours for bars and clubs in Aberdeen and Glasgow during this period including the rationale for and implementation of the changes, how services and businesses responded, public responses, impact on health and other harms and resultant costs/benefits. We will also examine changes in outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and stakeholder and public views on the future of the night time economy and related regulation post-COVID. The outcomes of this research will add to the national and international evidence base on the impact of extending opening hours, and the management of the night-time economy, and will inform policy locally and nationally.