The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) is calling on parliamentarians and the next Scottish government to provide much needed support for the sector, which has a closure rate 50% higher than in England.
The Association has released several figures, as part of its manifesto, ahead of May’s Holyrood election, which state that one in 16 Scottish pubs have closed within the last five years, with one pub permanently closing per week during 2025.
Over the past five years, 293 Scottish pubs have shut their doors for good – the equivalent of 6.4% of the country’s pubs.
In its manifesto – ‘Raising a Glass to Growth, Scottish Communities, and Our Planet’ – the SBPA outlines a series of “practical asks” the next Scottish government could address to ensure a more stable and sustainable future for the sector.
They include permanently addressing the disproportionate business rates burden facing pubs in the forthcoming independent review of licensed hospitality rates, with additional relief until then, support for the growth of low and no alcohol products, no ban or restrictions on alcohol advertising, and the introduction of a pilot programme for the full reintroduction of safe and moderated consumption of alcohol at football matches.
It is also calling on the government to introduce a directly funded campaign to support continued tourist activity and place pubs and brewing at the centre of Scotland’s tourism offer.
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the SBPA, said: “This Holyrood election comes at a critical moment for brewers and pubs in Scotland. Our sector has been battered in recent years by rising operational costs, a growing regulatory burden, and shifting consumer trends, which have together contributed to a deeply concerning trend of pub closures across the country.
“The business rates support provided in the recent Scottish Budget was welcome, however, it falls well short of what is needed for many pubs across Scotland. We are calling on the next Scottish Government to find a permanent solution to Scotland’s disproportionate rates burden, with additional support until then, otherwise more and more pubs will have to shut their doors for good.”
Earlier this week, UK Hospitality Scotland published new analysis which revealed that Scottish pubs look set to be hit with an 86% average increase in business rates, as a result in the increases to rateable values coupled with the ending of 40% rates relief.
For 2028/29, the average pub paying business rates will be landed with a bill for £27,721 – a £12,845 increase compared to the current average.
Leon Thompson, executive director of UKHospitality Scotland, said: “These are staggering increases and demonstrate the significant cost challenge facing Scottish hospitality businesses.
“These are not sums that can just be plucked out of thin air. The Scottish government can’t expect the local pub to discover an extra £11,000 in the next two months to pay these significant increases.”
Thomson added: “The Scottish Government has already committed to passing on any additional funding it receives from the UK government, but I urge it to go further and work with us to provide further support to avert these significant increases.”
