OCTOBER 13, 2001: Pubs in Inverclyde were looking at the prospect of staying open until midnight on Sundays for the first time after licensing bosses gave a landmark extension the go-ahead.

Until that point bars in the area had to close at 11pm on Sundays, but supporters of the change argued that the traditional weekend in which Sunday was regarded as the day of rest had changed with many people working on shifts like any other day.

Six premises had successfully applied to stay open until midnight.

And drinkers were set to be able to enjoy their tipple until 12 o’clock at night at the Pullman Diner in Kilmacolm, The Steamie in Clyde Square, Greenock, The Overdraught in Old Inverkip Road, Greenock, Whistlers Tavern in Westburn Street, Greenock, and the Sutherland Bar in Princes Street, Port Glasgow.

The Broomhill Bar, in Drumfrochar Road, Greenock, had got an extension until 11.45pm.

Councillor Margaret Morrison, convener of Inverclyde Licensing Board, said the decision to extend Sunday opening was made after considering the views of police, churches, traders and local residents.

She said: “It is the modern way of going forward.”

In a letter to the licensing board chief superintendent Kenneth Murray of Strathclyde Police gave his support for the new policy.

He wrote: “The Chief Constable recognises that conditions and patterns of employment for a large number of people have changed over the years and as such the ‘traditional’ weekend has altered.

"In addition, the majority of public houses utilise regular extensions which permit them to operate until at least midnight on all other evenings of the week.”