Scotland lost 64 pubs in the first nine months of 2026, according to figures released by the British Beer and Pub Association. The trade body is calling for tax and business rates changes to prevent further closures.
The Scottish closures formed part of a Britain-wide total of 295 by the end of September. England accounted for 226 closures and Wales for five.
In a separate statement republished by the British Guild of Beer Writers, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association estimated that Scottish pub closures had cost 585 jobs during the first nine months of the year, including 330 held by under-25s. That statement used a count of 62 closures, rather than the 64 reported by the BBPA.
The SBPA urged both the UK and Scottish Governments to use their forthcoming Budgets to support pubs. Its proposals included greater Scottish business rates relief and removal of the £110,000 per-business cap on that support.
The BBPA forecasts that around 360 pubs will permanently close across Britain by the end of 2026, resulting in around 5,000 job losses. It estimates that more than half of those roles would be held by under-25s.
The association said the November 2025 Budget measures had added £322m in costs for pubs and brewers. It argues that tax and regulatory pressures are contributing to closures and is seeking permanent business rates reform, a freeze in beer duty, increased draught relief and a review of employment costs, particularly for under-25s.
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Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “The Prime Minister has pledged that the cavalry is coming, which is why we’re asking Government to tackle the root of the problem through a permanently fair and sustainable rates burden, freezing beer duty, increasing draught relief and reviewing employment costs for under-25s.”
She added: “This will mean we can carry on keeping people in jobs, boosting the economy, and being at the heart of communities.”
