Aberdeen City Council grants The Spider's Web pub in Dyce 9am licence to serve returning offshore workers

The Spider’s Web in Dyce will soon be serving pints from 9am after bosses argued the change was needed to benefit offshore workers arriving home.

Mark Milne owns the bar on Station Road, found just metres away from Dyce Railway Station.

He applied to Aberdeen City Council in a bid to bring forward its licensed hours from 10am.

Licensing consultant David Scott urged the Licensing Board to approve the changes “for the benefit of the oil and gas industry and the city”.

He explained that the Spider’s Web acted as a “stop-off point” for those who arrive back in Aberdeen after lengthy trips offshore.

And, Mr Scott said that many workers visit the pub to “debrief for a pint or two” while waiting for a train to take them back home.

Making a case for the pub, the agent said: “I fully appreciate that the idea of a 9am start for having a drink seems entirely unnecessary, but that is not the situation we are dealing with here.

“These workers are coming off rigs – they’ve already been up for hours and may work a nightshift before they arrive in Aberdeen.

“Time has a different meaning to these workers, this is a unique situation serving a very specific set of circumstances.

“The location means it’s the only and last opportunity that many workers get time to debrief.

“People open up after a pint – concerns can be raised, conversations take place that wouldn’t be possible in the offshore environment, problems are solved and friendships are made.”

Bar boss Mark Milne has overseen operations at the Spider’s Web since 1990.

He also asked to amend his operating plan, allowing children and young people to access to all parts of the premises at all times when accompanied by an adult.

Under current rules, children are not allowed in the public bar.

He said a change was needed so that youngsters would be able to play at the pub’s pool table in the bar.

Mr Milne argued changing the policy would make the pub “more friendly” for customers.

The pub landlord explained: “I’m not a fan of kids in the public bar, but occasionally folk waiting for a train say, “Can I take my son through for a quick game of pool?”.

“You feel bad saying ‘No, you can’t’.

“Folk might think we are unreasonable, but that’s the rules.”

He added: “I know the reason we are saying no, but the public think we are being heavy handed.”

Licensing standards officers had said the earlier opening time went against policy, and they also had an issue with youngsters accessing the bar to play pool and watch sport.

Officers argued that the pool table is hidden from view by a partition wall and could not be adequately supervised by bar staff.

They didn’t believe it met licensing objectives of protecting children and young people from harm.

But, after hearing the case for the licence changes, councillor Neil Copland came up with a slight change of plan.

He suggested the bar be allowed to open from 9am Monday to Saturday, but 10am on Sundays.

The councillor also proposed that young people be allowed to access the bar and use the pool table until 8pm.

His colleague councillor Marie Boulton agreed with the measures but stressed the changes were only permitted due to the bar’s “unique circumstances”.

She added: “Offshore workers will not be hanging about all day, it’s only for a short period.

“I wouldn’t want there to be a feeling that we are trying to encourage longer drinking.”

Board members unanimously agreed to back Mr Copland’s proposal and the request was approved.