PUBS, bars, restaurants and hotels in the Wee County are gearing up to re-open outdoor spaces when restrictions ease next week.

A number of applications to extend outdoor areas, change layouts and alter opening hours to help facilitate the re-opening of the hospitality sector have been received by Clackmannanshire Council's Licensing Board.

The board is set to review the matters on next Tuesday, April 27, a day after coronavirus restrictions will further ease.

Hospitality businesses will be able to serve alcohol outdoors while indoor service is expected to be limited.

To be determined by the Licensing Board, The Royal Oak hotel in Alloa is one business looking to make the most of the changes with an application in for an occasional license.

The hotel, bar and restaurant is looking to utilise part of its car parking space at the back of the building as a drinking area with 12 tables as a temporary arrangement, which could become permanent if the Planning Committee gives the nod.

The application to go in front of Licensing Board councillors said: "We have reduced the size of area previously used last year, reducing the number of customers outside, which we believe will make it easier for us to manage, and significantly reduce any noise."

Elsewhere, Hillfoots RFC has also applied for an occasional license to use its car park temporarily to dispense alcohol.

There are similar plans for the No 5 Inn in Alva with hopes to use private car parking to the front of the building as an outside drinking area.

Braehead Golf Club has also submitted proposals to extend and redesign its outdoor drinking area while the Bobbing John in Alloa has applied to make a previous occasional license permanent so it can welcome guests to eight tables outside on the street front of the premises.