The introduction of the Scottish Pubs Code has enabled a bar in Edinburgh to drop the price of a pint of beer by 25%.
The code gives operators the opportunity to just pay a rent to their pub owner without being tied to supply stock from that business.
“Breaking free from the tie of stock we have to supply has been transformative for us,” said Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, co-owner of The Green Room.
“It also allows us to offer fair, competitive prices to our customers while being able to stock a wider selection of drinks.”
She described the code as “a hidden gem that many struggling pub and bar owners across Scotland don’t know about”.
• Miles Slade has been named as the new managing director of Market Taverns, which has 15 sites across London.
“Market Taverns is a truly distinctive business; a collection of characterful London pubs, each with its own identity, heritage and loyal community,” said Miles. “I’m excited to be joining the team and to help shape the next chapter of the business.”
He spent almost 20 years with J D Wetherspoon, as director of retail operations, but in recent years has worked with Windsor and Eton Brewery, Urban Pubs & Bars, and Red Cat.
• The Scottish Beer & Pub Association is urging Scottish councils to declare 15th June a public holiday, to celebrate the country’s football team’s appearance at the World Cup.
Several local authorities have said they will not be doing this, despite the King backing the plan. But the SBPA feels a holiday would provide a much-needed boost for hospitality.
“These decisions collectively undermine what should be a unifying national moment and deny local pubs and hospitality venues the economic and community boost that this celebration would naturally bring,” said Paul Togneri, senior policy manager at the SBPA.
“With other authorities still to decide, we strongly urge them to adopt the holiday in full. Scotland’s first men’s World Cup appearance since 1998 is a once‑in‑a‑generation event, and councils have a real opportunity to support local businesses, encourage responsible celebration, and give communities the chance to come together.”
• Star Pubs has reported that its applicant levels for January were 10% up on 2025. The increase comes as the company sees entrants to the leased and tenanted sector undertaking more research into the trade. This includes having a greater appetite for personally understanding the finances of their chosen pub, rather than relying on accountants.
To address these trends, Star Pubs is launching new online content and webinars on the leased and tenanted sector. In addition, Star has revised its applicants’ introductory training so that robust business plan creation is earlier in the recruitment process.
“The economic uncertainty of the last few years hasn’t dented enthusiasm for running a pub, but combined with the move to seek knowledge online, has profoundly changed the way would-be licensees research taking on a pub,” said Star’s head of attraction Hance McPherson. “There’s a huge thirst for knowledge – people are doing their due diligence really thoroughly, and they’re increasingly doing that online.”
• Camerons has placed four venues on the market following a strategic review of its estate. The sites are: The Wheelhouse, Washington; The Mitre, Bishop Auckland; The Head of Steam, Hull; and The Head of Steam, Newcastle.
The sites are being marketed by Christie & Co.
• Turnover at Wye Valley Brewery grew from £18,205,890 to £19,452,377 in the year to 30th April, 2025. Pre-tax profit rose from £2,183,011 in 2024 to £2,636,872.
“Wye Valley Brewery enjoyed its busiest year of trading,” said director Vernon Amor. “Turnover reached a new high.” The company is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
• Heron & Brearley, owner of the Okell’s brewery and inns businesses on the Isle of Man, has appointed Ollie Neale as managing director of the latter.
Industry veteran Mark Crowther, who chairs Heron & Brearley, said: “I am delighted to see Ollie taking a wider remit to include our predominantlyfreehold pubs business. This is an exciting year for the company as we start to deliver on the new five-year strategy.”
