The Greene King-owned brewer and pubs operator confirmed it has ploughed the money into its 22-strong estate in Scotland, covering 22 managed, tenanted and franchised pubs, during 2025.
The business said its investment programme had increased fourfold during the past year, focusing on refurbishments and marked a significant milestone for the leased, tenanted and franchise side of the business, Pub Partners, as it launched its growing pub franchise models, Hive and Nest, in Scotland for the first time in 2025.
Major projects have taken place at Molly Malones in Aberdeen, the Merlin in Edinburgh and the Kittoch in East Kilbride. There were six investment projects that took place, valued in excess of £2.5m, across its managed pubs, including three in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow, with an average spend of £400,000.
Vote of confidence
Meanwhile, Pub Partners launched nine franchise pubs in Scotland, costing a total of £2.2m – with £500,000 invested at the Stables, Stenhousemuir, and two franchise openings in Edinburgh plus four more in Glasgow.
Belhaven said these investments are a vote of confidence in Scottish pubs and the sector’s potential to drive economic growth but cited analysis by UKHospitality Scotland of the draft valuation roll from the Scottish Assessors Association has revealed there will be significant business rates rises in 2026 unless action is taken.
It continued rateable values are set to increase 23% on average across Scottish hospitality businesses if the Scottish Government does not take steps in its January Budget, including pausing the move to new revaluations.
Need government to listen
Pub Partners operations director Penelope Bruce said: “We will continue to support our growing family of franchisees every step of the way as they build thriving pubs at the heart of their local communities.
“It’s been so good to see the appetite from experienced operators choosing our franchise models as they realise the potential and benefits. These nine pubs have been rejuvenated in 2025 and we hope to work with the Scottish government to show how they can ease the regulatory burdens facing the pubs sector so that investments like this can thrive for years to come.”
Belhaven Pubs business unit director David McBride added: “We need the government to listen to the industry and address the need for meaningful reform of business rates.
“We can see how pubs in England are bracing for cost rises in April and we are hoping the Scottish government listens to the calls from the industry and steps in to prevent significant business rates rises at a time when a number of other costs are already due to rise in 2026.”
