The Campaign for Pubs has slammed the Scottish government for failing to provide vital support for pubs and publicans in its Budget this week.
Publicans had been calling for a Christmas present of business rates relief for Scotland’s pubs, to match help for English pubs. But there was no such announcement.
Pubs in England will get 75% rates relief for another year from April, but Scottish venues will get no rates relief at all, despite rates having gone up for many pubs this year. They are also feeling the long-term affects of the cost of living crisis.
Campaign for Pubs spokesperson for Scotland, Morag Douglas, licensee of the Star, Burntisland, has written to Shona Robison MSP, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for finance, to express the dismay of publicans across Scotland.
She is urging Ms Robison to visit her pub, to understand the reality of how tough business is at the moment for many pubs, faced with sky-high energy bills, other rising costs, and customers themselves feeling the pinch.
The letter highlights how tough the situation is for many pubs, and also stresses the vitally important role pubs, bars, and inns play in communities in combating social isolation, supporting charities and local events and causes, and being a vital part of local economies.
The only new support announced was for hospitality businesses located on islands, who will receive 100% rate relief, offering no new support to every pub and inn on the mainland.
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The one crumb of comfort from the Budget announcement was the commitment to looking at reforming the whole business rates system for pubs and hospitality.
“Publicans up and down Scotland were deeply disappointed by the Scottish Budget, which has failed to provide any extra support for the vast majority of pubs in Scotland,” said Morag.
“It is clear that the Scottish government either doesn’t understand or doesn’t care about pubs, the valuable role they play in communities, and the key part they play in Scottish culture and tourism.
“The reality is that many pubs have actually had their business rates increased this year, which is grossly unfair in the middle of the worst cost of living crisis in recent history. With sky-high energy bills and rising prices, we needed some basic support, yet instead we continue to pay far more in rates than other similar sized businesses and far more than is fair or reasonable.
“I urge Shona Robison to come to the Star, meet with me and other publicans, and find out just how tough things are at the moment and how unfair the current business rates system is for pubs. It’s clear that the Scottish cabinet has no idea of the role that pubs play in Scotland’s communities, and I hope she will be prepared to meet and think again.”
