Responding to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar’s announcement that the party will commit to a fundamental overhaul of Scotland’s business rates system, CAMRA Scotland director Stuart McMahon said: “This announcement could be a gamechanger. Overhauling the unfair business rates system is desperately needed to help stop the tide of pub closures and to make sure online businesses pay their fair share.
“Pubs are a force for good in our communities, bringing people together and helping to tackle loneliness. But they can only survive if the broken business rates system is scrapped and replaced with something fairer.
“We hope all parties and whoever forms the next Scottish government will commit to fundamental reform of business taxes to help save our pubs as vital community hubs.”