(1)Where a licensing board considers that licensed premises are no longer suitable or convenient for the sale of alcoholic liquor, having regard to their character and condition, and the nature and extent of the use of the premises, the board may decide to hold a hearing with a view to making a closure order under this section, and the effect of a closure order is that the licence held in respect of the premises shall cease to have effect while the closure order is in force.
(2)Where the licensing board decides to hold a hearing as mentioned in subsection (1) above—
(a)the clerk of the board shall serve on the holder of the licence, not less than 21 days before the hearing, a notice that the board proposes to hold the hearing specifying the grounds on which the board proposes to hold the hearing;
(b)the board shall not make a closure order without hearing the holder of the licence unless, after receiving due notice of the hearing, the holder fails to appear.
(3)Where after a hearing under this section a licensing board is satisfied as to any one or more of the matters mentioned in subsection (1) above, the board may order the closure of the licensed premises and any such order shall specify the matters on which the order is based.
(4)The closure order shall remain in force until such time as the board is satisfied that the matters which led to the closure order have been satisfactorily remedied.
(5)The licence-holder may apply to the board for the cancellation of the closure order on the ground that the matters which led to the closure order have been satisfactorily remedied.
(6)Where a licensing board decides to make a closure order under this section, the order shall not take effect until the expiry of the time within which the holder of the licence may appeal to the sheriff, or, if the holder appeals to the sheriff or thereafter to the Court of Session, until the appeal has been determined in favour of the closure order or has been abandoned.
(7)The holder of the licence may appeal to the sheriff against the closure order or against a refusal of a licensing board to cancel a closure order.