Scottish hospitality bosses call for urgent VAT cut
Research by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association shows around 62% have fewer visitors compared to last year.
Pub and bar owners across Scotland are telling us they're seeing less money coming through the tills because customers can't afford to keep up with rising drink prices.
Research by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association shows around 62% have fewer visitors compared to last year.
They're pleading with the UK Government to consider slashing VAT.
Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: “Despite the uplift from Euro 2024, visitors are more selective on when they visit, with 19% leaving earlier and 16% only visiting our pubs and bars for events.
"Our report identifies that 64% of respondents highlighted less spend, fewer visits and less time spent in the venue.”
The report also suggests rising rates continues to be a challenge across the sector with 42% of outlets seeing an increase of 10% or more.
Colin added: “Our survey has now become a barometer which measures the pulse of Scotland’s hospitality sector.
Over that time, we have seen the impact of Brexit, Covid, and right now our biggest challenge is not only spiralling business operating costs but also the cost-of-living increases that are having an impact on the ‘leisure pound’.”