(Image: Archives)
Scotland is losing a pub every four and a half days, with 62 closures in the first nine months of 2026 costing 585 jobs and more than £6 million in tax revenue.
New figures from the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA) show that 330 of the jobs lost between January and September were held by people under the age of 25.
The number of pubs operating in Scotland fell from 4,270 in 2025 to 4,206 by September 2026.
The SBPA is calling on the UK and Scottish Governments to take action in their forthcoming Budgets, warning that rising costs and tax pressures are putting businesses under strain.
The association has urged the UK Government to freeze beer duty, increase draught relief, review employment costs for under-25s and reduce VAT.
It is also calling on the Scottish Government to increase business rates relief for pubs and remove the £110,000-per-business cap on that support.
Read more
Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the Scottish Beer & Pub Association, said: "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.
"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.
"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."