Pubs in Scotland are closing down at twice the rate of those in England, hospitality bosses have warned. Figures out today show that 89 bars shut their doors for good last year as landlords face a combination of soaring energy bills, higher labour costs and customers with less cash to spend. The closures meant Scotland lost two per cent of its total number of pubs in 2023, compared to a closure rate of 0.9 per cent in England.
There were 5,184 bars north of the border in 2004 - a total that dropped to 4,380 last year. Landlords are now calling for the Scottish Government to replicate a rates relief package for hospitality businesses to help the industry weather an economic storm. Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, said SNP ministers still had time to introduce support for pubs during its Budget negotiations. Research by the Fraser of Allander Institute found that 10,000 hospitality businesses would benefit in Scotland if the rates relief recently implemented in England was replicated her