Scotland’s beer and pub sector added almost £2.5bn to the economy in 2025, report finds

The useful part

What's On Editor 13:55, 31 Aug 2026 View Image The Scottish Beer and Pub Association is calling on more support for Scottish hospitality businesses (Image: ‌ Published today, the independent report was produced by Oxford Economics and commissioned by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association. ‌ It finds that the industry generated £2.472 billion in Gross Value Added, supported 64,200 jobs and paid £1.290 billion in wages across Scotland during 2025.

How it works

• More than half of Scottish workers directly employed by the sector were aged between 16 and 24.
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• ‌ Chief executive of the Scottish Beer and Pub Association, Emma McClarkin, is calling on the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to help ease the burden currently being placed on Scottish...
• "The closure rate for pubs in Scotland has been more than 50 per cent higher than in England, putting jobs, investment and valued community venues at risk.
• Holyrood must deliver a fairer and more sustainable business rates system and avoid placing further unnecessary costs on businesses.

What to take from it

Across Scotland's electoral regions, the sector supported an average of approximately £309 million in GVA, 8,000 jobs and £161 million in wages, underlining its strategic importance to communities in every part of the country. Westminster must ensure that beer duty, employment taxes and the wider tax burden allow pubs and breweries to invest, grow and create jobs. It includes the contribution made by breweries and pubs, beer sales through the wider hospitality sector, and activity supported throughout retail and industry supply chains.

Example or evidence

• For thousands of Scots, a pub, brewery or hospitality business offers that crucial first step into employment, helping them to build skills, confidence and a lasting career.
• ‌ Emma added: "This report puts beyond doubt the enormous contribution that Scotland's beer and pub industry makes to our economy and our communities.
• "The sector supports more than 64,000 jobs, generates almost £2.5 billion for the Scottish economy and pays nearly £1.3 billion in wages.
• "Perhaps most striking is the role the industry plays in providing opportunities for young people.

Details worth keeping

Still Stories Co/Getty Images) Last year, Scotland's beer and pub industry contributed almost £2.5 billion to the Scottish economy, supported more than 64,000 jobs and generated nearly £1.3 billion in wages, according to a major new report. She stated: "We cannot take this contribution for granted. ‌ The group says their report demonstrates that the impact of beer and pubs extends far beyond individual premises and provides evidence of why more support is needed to prevent the number of closures happening across the industry in Scotland.

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