MUSIC fans attending two of Glasgow's biggest summer gigs will be able to buy alcohol at Hampden Park for the first time.
Bosses of the national stadium have been granted a licence to sell beer and wine at gigs by Bon Jovi on Saturday - on their Have A Nice Day tour - and The Eagles on June 23.

In the past, alcohol has been sold at only a few events at Hampden, such as the appearance of the Scottish Claymores.
The licence was requested to give Hampden parity with other leading concert venues in Scotland.

But stadium officials made it clear they won't be seeking a licence to sell alcohol at football matches.

David Kells, managing director of Hampden Park, said: "This is a positive decision we believe will add to the enjoyment of people attending concerts at Hampden.

"The licence will be reviewed on an event-by- event basis by the licensing authorities and in conjunction with police."

In the past, when rock fans flocked to high-profile gigs at Hampden - such as U2, Robbie Williams and Oasis - they had to abandon drinks at the gates and often had alcohol confiscated by police in the street.

Today Chief Superintendent Robin Howe welcomed the move to sell alcohol at the two gigs.

He said: "We believe this will benefit the local community as this will help to reduce the number of people illegally drinking in the streets before entering the concerts.

"Police will work with Hampden Park and the licensing authorities to monitor and evaluate the situation."
Councillor Gordon Macdiarmid, chairman of Glasgow Licensing Board, said: "We listened to the proposals put forward by Hampden Park and agreed it makes sense to bring entertainment events at Hampden, excluding football matches, into line with those events at other venues across Scotland.
"The sale of alcohol at football matches is a separate issue."

Publication date 31/05/06