Football fans enjoying the hospitality experience at St Johnstone’s McDiarmid Park can now savour a refreshing beverage during half-time. Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing board recently approved an amendment to the stadium’s alcohol license, lifting the previous restriction that prohibited alcohol sales from 30 minutes before kickoff until the final whistle. This change aligns McDiarmid Park with the standard practice of other Premiership football clubs throughout Scotland.
The club, represented by CEO Fran Smith and licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan, emphasized the importance of offering a comprehensive match-day experience for their supporters. Mr. McGowan highlighted St Johnstone’s significant role within the Perth and Kinross community, describing the club as a “family” and a vital thread in the area’s “cultural fabric.” He argued the previous alcohol restriction was an anomaly, stating he wasn’t aware of any other Premiership clubs that enforced such a measure. Modernising the Match-Day Experience
This shift in alcohol policy reflects a growing trend in football to provide a more complete and enjoyable experience for fans in hospitality areas. McDiarmid Park now offers a more relaxed and social atmosphere, enhancing the hospitality package for attendees. The club’s aim is to provide a space where fans can enjoy the match and socialise with fellow supporters in a comfortable setting, adding to the overall match-day excitement.
The licensing amendment also allows the club shop to sell alcohol-related gifts, further diversifying their offerings for fans. The club has been very thorough in its training of staff to manage this change in policy, including security, management, and hospitality teams to prevent alcohol from being taken into the general seating areas. Responding to Community Needs
St Johnstone has actively addressed concerns regarding responsible alcohol management. Mr. McGowan reassured the licensing board about the extensive training staff receive to ensure that no alcohol is taken out of the designated hospitality areas. This robust training is designed to prevent any breach of the broader stadium regulations which still prohibit alcohol in general seating areas. As a long-standing regulation, alcohol is still prohibited from being brought into the stadium grounds, and consumption remains restricted to designated hospitality sections. The club’s commitment to fan safety and responsible alcohol consumption is at the forefront of this policy update.
This licensing board’s decision marks a positive step for St Johnstone FC, allowing them to further enhance the experience for hospitality guests at McDiarmid Park. By aligning their practices with other major clubs, they are providing a more appealing and contemporary match-day experience, all while maintaining a safe and controlled environment.
The club hopes these changes will attract new supporters to their hospitality area and improve the atmosphere within McDiarmid Park, contributing to the club’s overall growth and development within the Perthshire community. The decision has been welcomed by the club and many of its fans, who see this as a welcome modernisation of the rules surrounding the match-day experience. This comes after club chairman Adam Webb voiced his concerns about the national alcohol ban in stadiums last year.
The club, represented by CEO Fran Smith and licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan, emphasized the importance of offering a comprehensive match-day experience for their supporters. Mr. McGowan highlighted St Johnstone’s significant role within the Perth and Kinross community, describing the club as a “family” and a vital thread in the area’s “cultural fabric.” He argued the previous alcohol restriction was an anomaly, stating he wasn’t aware of any other Premiership clubs that enforced such a measure. Modernising the Match-Day Experience
This shift in alcohol policy reflects a growing trend in football to provide a more complete and enjoyable experience for fans in hospitality areas. McDiarmid Park now offers a more relaxed and social atmosphere, enhancing the hospitality package for attendees. The club’s aim is to provide a space where fans can enjoy the match and socialise with fellow supporters in a comfortable setting, adding to the overall match-day excitement.
The licensing amendment also allows the club shop to sell alcohol-related gifts, further diversifying their offerings for fans. The club has been very thorough in its training of staff to manage this change in policy, including security, management, and hospitality teams to prevent alcohol from being taken into the general seating areas. Responding to Community Needs
St Johnstone has actively addressed concerns regarding responsible alcohol management. Mr. McGowan reassured the licensing board about the extensive training staff receive to ensure that no alcohol is taken out of the designated hospitality areas. This robust training is designed to prevent any breach of the broader stadium regulations which still prohibit alcohol in general seating areas. As a long-standing regulation, alcohol is still prohibited from being brought into the stadium grounds, and consumption remains restricted to designated hospitality sections. The club’s commitment to fan safety and responsible alcohol consumption is at the forefront of this policy update.
This licensing board’s decision marks a positive step for St Johnstone FC, allowing them to further enhance the experience for hospitality guests at McDiarmid Park. By aligning their practices with other major clubs, they are providing a more appealing and contemporary match-day experience, all while maintaining a safe and controlled environment.
The club hopes these changes will attract new supporters to their hospitality area and improve the atmosphere within McDiarmid Park, contributing to the club’s overall growth and development within the Perthshire community. The decision has been welcomed by the club and many of its fans, who see this as a welcome modernisation of the rules surrounding the match-day experience. This comes after club chairman Adam Webb voiced his concerns about the national alcohol ban in stadiums last year.