SIR, I would like to comment on the story in last week’s Border Telegraph concerning the Scottish Borders Licensing Board and their actions when deciding whether or not to grant extensions to permitted opening hours of two Borders pubs.

The actions of the board were less than professional with petty bickering between the members, the chair stepping aside for the vote as he had an interest in it but he had obviously decided his replacement in advance which angered the rest of the board, I think they call this jigerry pokery! Or is it gerrymandering?

They were making a decision that was going to affect many struggling publicans, and let no one tell you differently this industry is struggling. It was whether to let Wetherspoons in Galashiels and Hawick extend their opening hours so as they can sell yet more industrial quantities of cheap drink.

This was a massive decision to make for the licence trade, the vote with no chair ended up three all so, in their wisdom, they sent for a deck of cards to cut as deciding vote.

Now I have been a publican for 38 years and have never gambled but this shower on the board think a decision like this is okay to make by having a game of snap to decide - heads should be rolling here.

I would demand and expect an educated debate and an educated vote taken at the end of proceedings if stalemate then it should be revisited when a proper independent chairperson can be found. This whole thing stinks of amateurism and part-time politicians that would rather be doing something else.

Maybe it is time for people that have a clue what they are talking about and are qualified to talk of such things to be appointed to the licensing board.

I am, etc.

Kenny Macpherson The Swan Bar High Street Earlston