MRO gains traction in Scotland

Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association said: “The tied model is as broken in Scotland as it was in England and Wales. We’re not talking about a handful of tenants-1,000 Scottish businesses are negatively affected.

“And the feedback from those affected Scottish businesses is already extremely clear: 99% of tenants want protection against tied pubs; 74% of affected Scottish publicans feel worse off; 96% believe paying a reduced rent doesn’t merit the extra cost on tied products and services.”

Support for MRO in Scotland recently came from the Scottish Tourism Alliance, whose chief executive Marc Crothall said: “All hospitality businesses in our country - without exception - should have the opportunity to purchase and sell Scottish products. We therefore support any action that removes barriers or restrictions to that happening.    

“Pubs and licensed premises are an important part of Scotland’s hospitality and tourism offering - but many would now appear to be disadvantaged compared with their counterparts across the rest of the UK.”

Scottish landlords are already fighting more restrictive drink-driving laws, which pub giant Greene King recently blamed for a ‘tough’ financial year. Some licensed premises are reporting as much as 10% drop in drinks sales following the new legislation.