FIFE pubs have been left "in limbo" by the Scottish Government, according to the Kingdom's licensing body.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced on Tuesday that hospitality would be allowed to re-open, with no distancing measures or limits on mixing.

However, pubs and bars were left waiting an extra week for the news, after football fans were told they would be allowed to return to stadia last week.

This, along with the government's continued 'work from home' message has left businesses confused as to how they should be operating.

The SLTA (Scottish Licensed Trade Association) says there is "growing frustration" among the hospitality sector and that more clarity was needed.

Jeff Ellis, FLTA (Fife Licensed Trade Association) secretary, added: "So many operators had a poor Christmas and New Year so they are desperate to get back to normal as soon as possible – delays have been a big disappointment.

"I feel the worst for nightclub owners, they have been hammered, and have been being hammered for two years."

In West Fife, the past few weeks have proved difficult for nightclubs and large venues, who have had to close due to restrictions.

Calum Miller, from Dunfermline venue PJ Molloy's, said: "It's great that Scotland has now aligned with down south and nightclubs and music venues are allowed to trade again from Monday.

"We look forward to getting back to what we do best and offering an array of live music and club nights for Dunfermline."

Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said there was confusion about restrictions due to unclear messaging from the government and that waiting for further information was leaving businesses "in limbo".

He said: "The constant messaging from the First Minister to work from home where possible and limit contact with people is doing nothing to build consumer confidence and leading to growing frustration among business owners.

"Of course, we appreciated that the Scottish Government has to consider the health of the nation as well as the economy but more clarity is required.

“Last week, the First Minister alluded to the Scottish Government’s new strategic framework on dealing with Covid which will be published in the coming weeks – she said exactly the same today so our question is: when will this be published because we need answers now.”