Exclusive:Pubs 'fighting to survive' as 'staggering' rate of closures revealed
A map of pub closures across Scotland shows the areas hit the hardest by the loss of the local boozer amid the ongoing financial squeeze on the licensed trade.
Some Scottish local authorities have seen a decline of more than 60 per cent in the number of pubs in their area over the past 15 years, amid warnings that the financial pressures facing the sector are having a grave impact on communities and local economies.
Newly published research shows that across the country, there was a net loss of more than 600 pubs between 2010 and 2025, with the overall number shrinking from 4,873 to 4,270.
In four local authority areas, the number of pubs has fallen by more than 40 per cent over the 15 year period, intensifying concerns about the impact on local communities and economies.
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA), which carried out the analysis of the declining number of establishments via Scotland’s non-domestic rates database, described the rate of closures as “staggering,” and said more pubs were being pushed “to the brink” due to financial challenges.
It emerged on Thursday that business rates relief for eligible premises liable for the basic and intermediate property rates will rise from 15 to 40 per cent for the next three years, subject to a £110,000 cap per business. While that step has been broadly welcomed by the sector, industry figures warned that many pubs will still be unable to fully benefit, with a need for a longer term solution for the business rates issue.
The figures compiled by the SBPA from the Scottish Assessors Association's website show that the local authority area with the steepest decline was the Shetland Islands, where there were just 16 pubs in 2025, compared to 42 in 2010.
East Renfrewshire also saw a significant fall in pub numbers, down 52 per cent over the same period - down from 46 to 22, closely followed by East Dunbartonshire, where a net loss of 25 pubs shut their doors - a 45 per cent reduction.
Although there were falls of 18 per cent and 17 per cent respectively in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, other cities did not fare so badly. In Glasgow, there was a net loss of five pubs - a one per cent drop - while Dundee actually set a net gain of 16 pubs. Dumfries and Galloway was one of five other local authority areas to see a net gain in the number of pubs, up from 194 to 239.
Paul Togneri, senior policy manager at the SBPA, said: “Our analysis shows that Scotland’s pub landscape is being reshaped at a staggering pace - and the contrasts across the country couldn’t be clearer. While places like Dumfries and Galloway and Dundee have managed to grow their pub numbers since 2010, others such as the Shetland Islands, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and parts of the Highlands have suffered some of the most dramatic losses in the country.
"But the national picture is even more alarming. Scotland has lost hundreds of pubs since 2010, and the pace of closures is being driven by relentless and rising costs. Employer National Insurance hikes, disproportionate business rates, punitive beer duty rates, soaring energy bills and tightening margins are pushing pubs to the brink. Many are fighting to survive month to month.”
He added: “We welcome the news that the Scottish government will raise rates relief to 40 per cent, which will offer some immediate support. However, without a long-term solution to business rates and meaningful action at a UK-level, more pubs will disappear from our towns, villages and city centres - taking jobs, investment, and vital community spaces with them.”
The announcement from the Scottish Government on the rise in rates relief follows a similar move made at Westminster.
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, added: Now the Scottish Government has also recognised the same need to support our pubs and bars in Scotland, but has upped that support, after intense lobbying by the sector and other political parties, and has now thrown a potential lifeline to struggling SMEs, many of whom are facing substantial increases in the rateable values and rates bills.
“This essential support will go some way in helping the sector remains viable and continues to be not only a key contributor to the tourism sector and the Scottish economy in general, but also a major employment provider.”
However, he added that many larger businesses will see no support coming their way from the announcement and face ongoing challenges, including “extortionate increases” in their rateable values.
Some pubs have reported predicted rises of tens of thousands of pounds in their rateable values under the looming re-evaluation.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government said that Ministers have “long called” on the UK Government to address the damaging impact of VAT, duty, and employers National Insurance on the sector.
The spokesperson added: “ It’s clear that these policies are damaging pubs across the country.
“The Scottish Government's Budget 2026-27 continues to support businesses and communities, with a strong non-domestic rates package, including more than £320 million of forecast support through transitional relief schemes and retail hospitality and leisure relief over the next three years.
“Recognising the challenges faced by licensed hospitality, we will offer an additional 25% relief for eligible licensed premises and music venues liable for the Basic or Intermediate Property Rates, capped at £110,000 per business per year. This takes the total relief for eligible licensed premises and music venues to 40% for the next three years, capped at £110,000 per business per year.
“Thanks to our generous non-domestic rates relief package, we estimate that 96% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses could benefit from some form of relief in 2026-27.”
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