Scotland

We report on the key developments shaping Scotland’s foodservice and hospitality sector, from Glasgow and Edinburgh to Aberdeen, Inverness, and beyond. This archive covers restaurant and pub openings, catering contracts, chef appointments, regulatory changes, trading updates, and regional challenges unique to the Scottish market. Whether you’re a local operator, part of a national brand with Scottish sites, or a supplier monitoring demand shifts, we provide the insights you need. Our editorial focus ensures that chefs, landlords, caterers, and hospitality executives stay informed on what’s happening across Scotland’s diverse and dynamic food landscape.

Aug- 2021 -

4 August

Government

All Scottish hospitality to reopen August 9

All Scottish hospitality venues will be legally allowed to reopen from August 9, after the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings will be removed, first minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed. As Scotland moves beyond level 0, nightclubs can reopen for the first time since 2020 and pubs and…
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2 August

Restaurants

Whitbread opens new Bar + Block Steakhouse in Edinburgh

Whitbread has announced plans to open a new Bar + Block Steakhouse in Edinburgh, Scotland. The venue, which will serve high quality 30-day aged steaks in a variety of cuts and sizes, will be located on Princes Street, with the restaurant occupying a former New Look building. The destination all-day…
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Jul- 2021 -

14 July

Trade Associations

UKH Scotland calls for further financial support

UKHospitality Scotland has called for further financial support for the hospitality sector as the industry prepares to come out of lockdown on 19 July 2021. The news comes as first minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that the country will move to Level 0 and see some restrictions lifted. As part of…
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8 July

Government

Scottish gov launches hospitality recruitment drive

The Scottish government has announced the launch of a new recruitment drive, encouraging people to choose a career in the country’s tourism and hospitality industry. As part of the drive, the government launched an advertising campaign targeting roles within the industry to young people who have had their job prospects…
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6 July

Restaurants

Buzzworks tackle ‘recruitment drought’ with £20k bonus pot

Buzzworks, a group of independent restaurant and bar operators, has released a bonus pot of £20k for staff referrals, in a bid to tackle a “recruitment drought” of almost 50 chef vacancies. The group, which operates 12 sites across Scotland, said it will offer monetary bonuses to any customer or…
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Jun- 2021 -

28 June

Trade Associations

UKH calls on Scottish gov to ‘stick with’ short-term let licensing plan

UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland is urging the Scottish government to “stick with” a licensing plan for short-term lets. The government has announced the publication of a draft licensing order for consultation, ahead of laying the final legislation at the Scottish Parliament in September, which will affect the country’s hospitality sector. On…
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23 June

Government

Scottish gov delays Covid-19 easing until 19 July

The Scottish government has confirmed that the lifting of all restrictions in the country will be delayed until 19 July 2021, when the country will aim to move to Level 0 on the assumption that all necessary vaccination and harm reduction measures are met. The news follows the recent spike…
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21 June

Venues & Properties

‘Freedom Day’ delay puts thousands more venues at risk, CGA warns

The delaying of “Freedom Day” has put thousands more clubs, restaurants, pubs and bars at risk, according to the latest edition of the Market Recovery Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. Although 76.2% of Britain’s licensed sites were trading by the end of last month, around 25,000 licensed premises remain closed.…
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18 June

Restaurants

Bar + Block opens two new sites

Whitbread’s contemporary high street steak brand, Bar + Block, has opened two new sites in Scotland and Milton Keynes, taking its portfolio to 17 sites. The new sites will follow the steak house’s all-day trading format – serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week. The menu puts the…
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15 June

Trade Associations

UKH Scotland calls for gov to ‘stick with’ reopening plan

UKHospitality (UKH) Scotland is calling on the Scottish government to “stick with” its current reopening plan. Following the UK government’s announcement of a four-week delay to the removal of all Covid-19 restrictions, the trade association is urging the Scottish government to not follow suit. Currently, the Scottish government’s timeframe in…
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