Figures from the Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) showed one pub per week closed for good in Scotland last year, with one in 16 lost over the past five years.
Since 2021, 293 Scottish pubs have closed permanently, amounting to 6.4% of all pubs in the country, compared to 4.1% in England, according to the data.
At the same, the SBPA estimates Scotland’s beer and pub sector supports 65,000 jobs across 4,380 pubs and 151 brewers, contributing £2.3bn to the country’s economy annually.
Rising costs
SBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin said: “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.
“With a Scottish pub closing each week for good, and this rate proportionately far higher than in England, our sector needs more support.”
Ahead of Holyrood’s election in May, the SBPA called on the next Scottish Government to provide targeted support for Scottish pubs and brewers, including permanent reform of “disproportionate” business rates with interim relief.
The manifesto also called for more backing for low and no-alcohol products and a pilot to allow the controlled return of alcohol at football matches, alongside a Government-funded tourism campaign centred on pubs and brewing.
In addition, it opposed restrictions on alcohol advertising.
Critical time
McClarkin said the election comes at a “critical time” for Scottish hospitality.
She continued: “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.
“The SBPA and our members stand ready to work constructively with the new cohort of incoming MSPs and the Scottish Government to deliver economic growth and drive forward a vibrant sector that spans every constituency across Scotland”.
This comes as separate research from UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland earlier this week found Scottish pubs faced an 86% hike to business rates bills.
