62 Establishments Ceased Trading, Leading to Over £6 Million in Lost Tax Revenue
Analysis by the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) has revealed that 62 pubs across Scotland closed during the first nine months of 2026. These closures resulted in an estimated loss of 585 jobs, including 330 held by under-25s, and more than £6 million in tax revenue. The SBPA stated that the figures highlight the intense cost pressures currently facing pubs. The organisation is urging both the UK and Scottish Governments to utilise upcoming Budgets to support the pub sector and prevent further closures.
You Might Also Like:
The SBPA warned that additional closures risk damaging local economies, employment, and communities throughout Scotland. The rate of closures equates to almost seven pubs closing each month, approximately one and a half pubs every week, or one pub shutting every four and a half days. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, commented, “When a local pub closes, the impact is felt far beyond its front door. Communities lose a valued gathering place, workers lose jobs and governments lose tax revenue. In Scotland alone, 62 pubs have closed in just nine months, costing 585 jobs and more than £6 million in tax receipts.”
McClarkin added, “These figures should serve as a wake-up call. Pubs want to invest, grow and continue supporting their communities, but many are being pushed to the limit by rising costs and an unsustainable tax burden.” She further stated, “As we approach both the UK Budget and the Scottish Budget, governments have an opportunity to back one of Scotland’s most important community assets.
“The UK Government should build on its support for the sector by freezing beer duty, increasing draught relief, reviewing employment costs for under-25s, and reducing VAT, while the Scottish Government should increase business rates relief for pubs and remove the £110,000 per business cap on that support.” Concluding her remarks, McClarkin warned, “Without meaningful action, we risk seeing more pubs close, more jobs lost and more communities deprived of the economic and social value that pubs provide.”
