The Old Chain Pier is celebrating a major milestone after becoming one of the Edinburgh pubs to benefit from the new Scottish Pubs Code.
The legislation gives tied pub tenants the right to request a rent-only agreement, allowing venues to move away from being tied to a pub-owning business for stock supply.
For the historic Newhaven pub, the change means it can now stock a wider range of beers, support more local breweries and permanently reduce the price of its house lager to £5 a pint. The venue has also reduced the price of all its beers.
To mark the occasion, The Old Chain Pier will host a week-long celebration from Monday, 29 June to Sunday, 5 July, with all pints reduced to £5 throughout the week.
January Watson, area manager for Malt Group, said: “The Scottish Pubs Code has been a massive relief for us. Operating in Edinburgh’s hospitality sector is incredibly tough right now with mounting taxes, rates, and the highest table and chair charges in Europe.
“Being able to step away from tied stock means we finally have the freedom to curate our own beer selection, support brilliant local breweries, and pass those savings directly on to our loyal customers with £5 pints.”
The pub said the change comes at a challenging time for the hospitality sector, with venues facing pressures including high VAT, rising business rates, road closures, increasing employer National Insurance contributions and outdoor seating charges.
As part of the celebrations, guests who book a table to dine from Monday, 29 June to Thursday, 2 July will receive 20% off their food bill.
The pub’s beer garden will also be transformed for the week, with giant Jenga, hopscotch, quoits and cornhole, alongside live music, free face painting and a pet fancy dress competition.
Three local breweries will take over the beer garden towards the end of the week, with Stewart Brewing Beer appearing on Friday, 3 July, Newbarns Brewery on Saturday, 4 July, and Campervan Brewery on Sunday, 5 July.
The first 20 customers at each brewery takeover will receive a free pint, while a garden BBQ will serve hot dogs, chicken kebabs and more from 6pm each evening.
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More events and surprises are expected to be announced throughout the week.
For reservations and more information, visit www.oldchainpier.com.
