Temporary beer gardens that have popped up across the city over the last year will be a common feature until 2022.
Dozens of hospitality venues across Glasgow created their own temporary structures to allow them to open under stricter lockdown restrictions which included alcohol only being permitted outdoors.
Beer gardens and outdoor seating appeared on city streets, car parks, and lanes allowing pubs and restaurants to increase capacity and maintain social distancing measures during the pandemic.
Now, the Scottish Government has extended the special measures to enable the erection of temporary buildings by hospitality businesses until March 31, 2022.
The move comes in the recognition that most businesses will want to maintain outdoor covered spaces to comply with physical distancing measures for a longer period.
The special measures introduced last year extend the period of time that businesses can erect a temporary structure before being required to apply for a building warrant. Under normal circumstances, the structures could only remain in place for 28 consecutive days without a warrant.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing & Local Government, Shona Robison MSP said: "I am extending the guidance for a further period to 31 March 2022. It is not my intention to extend the period further beyond this date. A lead in time of 6 months is being given to allow verifiers and the hospitality sector time to discuss and agree for temporary buildings to be removed or a formal building warrant application made to the local authority.
"While we are making progress towards level zero and beyond as defined by the strategic framework, the current situation means it is appropriate that the guidance remains in place.
"On that basis, I recognise the need for businesses to provide outdoor covered areas, e.g. marquees, which will of course need to comply with physical distancing measures set out in the Scottish Government and sector guidance.
"The guidance is intended to encourage the sector to take steps to provide a safe and pleasant environment for customers while supporting the economic recovery of the sector."
