More help with business rates needed to save Scotland’s pubs from closure

Speaking after the Deputy First Minister’s 2023-24 Budget statement to the Scottish Parliament this afternoon, CAMRA’s Scottish Director Stuart McMahon said: 

“Freezing business rates is better than an inflationary increase. However, this Budget fails to address the nation’s pubs, social clubs, breweries and cider makers that are still facing a nightmarish combination of rising costs, soaring energy bills and customers tightening their belts. 

“This is putting the future of Scotland’s locals – and the breweries that serve them – at risk. The Scottish Government must provide extra help with the burden of business rates for hospitality businesses. Otherwise, many of our pubs, which are vital community assets that bring people together and help tackle loneliness, could be forced to call last orders for good.” 

“CAMRA also continues to urge the UK Government to extend help with energy bills for hospitality businesses beyond April 2023, freeze general beer duty as soon as possible and introduce the promised new, lower rate of duty charged on draught beer and cider as quickly as possible to help pubs and breweries compete with the likes of supermarket alcohol.”