Harviestoun Brewery’s managing director has described new tier 4 lockdown restrictions in Scotland as a devastating blow to the country’s craft brewers.

Stuart Cook
Stuart Cook, joint managing director of Harviestoun Brewery

From tomorrow (20th November), tier 4 rules will be imposed in 11 council areas across western and central Scotland, including Glasgow, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire, West Dunbartonshire, North and South Lanarkshire, East and South Ayrshire, Stirling, and West Lothian. Non-essential shops, pubs and restaurants will have to close until 11th December.

Stuart Cook, joint MD at Harviestoun Brewery, said: “The level 4 measures announced for significant parts of Scotland earlier this week are incredible damaging to an industry already on its knees. This just piles on the pressure on Scottish pubs and the supply chains that support them.  

“Not only is this a devastating blow to the trade, but with no insight to when the industry can open again, the sector will be unable to plan for the its busiest time of year. 

“Harviestoun Brewery, just like all other breweries, needs a schedule so we can plan in and return to brewing for the pubs.  The tier 4 announcement is of no help whatsoever in these almost terminal times for the Scottish on-trade.”