UKH Scotland
Reporting on policy, advocacy, and industry representation activity that supports the hospitality sector across Scotland. This section covers lobbying efforts, regulatory developments, workforce issues, business rates reform, and operational challenges facing restaurants, pubs, hotels, bars, and catering firms from Edinburgh and Glasgow to rural and island communities. Tailored for leaders, operators, and F&B professionals, it provides vital context on how national and devolved policy decisions shape Scotland’s foodservice economy.
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Jan- 2025 -28 JanuaryFeatures
How will the Scottish budget affect businesses?
On 4 December 2024 first minister John Swinney announced the budget for Scotland for the period of 2025-2026. It followed the announcement of the budget for the rest of the UK by chancellor Rachel Reeves in October. As part of devolution powers introduced under the Tony Blair administration, the Scottish…
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20 JanuaryTrade Associations
Scottish budget leaves thousands of venues worse off, UKH claims
UKHospitality Scotland has claimed that the latest Scottish budget will leave more than 2,500 hospitality businesses ineligible for support. The new measures in the budget will provide 40% business rates relief for venues with a rateable value up to £51,000. The trade organisation stated that combined with increases to the…
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Dec- 2024 -5 DecemberGovernment
UKH Scotland welcomes business rates relief but warns thousands excluded
UKHospitality Scotland has said the new 40% business rates relief for hospitality businesses announced in the recent Scottish Budget will provide “much-needed support” for eligible hospitality businesses, but highlighted that thousands will miss out. In yesterday’s (4 December 2024) Budget, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government Shona Robison…
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Nov- 2024 -22 NovemberTrade Associations
UKH urges Scottish govt to bring in 40% business rates relief
UKH has called for the Scottish government to introduce at least 40% business rates relief for hospitality business, as new analysis from the trade body reveals that Scottish hospitality businesses will be significantly worse off than their English counterparts. While hospitality businesses in England will receive 40% relief, Scottish businesses…
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Sep- 2024 -20 SeptemberFeatures
The implications of Edinburgh’s Visitor Levy Act
The Visitor Levy Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in May 2024 and received Royal Assent shortly after in July, grants local councils the authority to implement a tax on overnight accommodation, commonly referred to as a “visitor levy” or “tourist tax”. This new legislation represents a significant…
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18 SeptemberBusiness
Commonwealth Games will boost Glasgow hospitality, says UKH Scotland
UKHospitality Scotland has said that the 2026 Commonwealth Games can help promote Glasgow hospitality on the world stage. This comes after it was announced that Glasgow will host the event, as the Australian state of Victoria pulled out of hosting due to cost concerns. Glasgow will be hosting the Commonwealth…
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Aug- 2024 -23 AugustTrade Associations
UKH warns against Edinburgh’s ‘unsustainable’ visitor levy
UKHospitality Scotland has warned Edinburgh City Council against increasing the proposed levy to an “unsustainable” level, following the first council vote agreed on an even higher levy than the proposed 5% in the draft scheme. The trade body believes that the visitor levy must be kept “to a reasonable minimum”,…
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16 AugustTrade Associations
UKH urges Edinburgh to implement cost recovery to visitor levy
UKH Scotland has urged the City of Edinburgh Council to adopt the cost recovery mechanism recommended in the draft visitor levy scheme. The draft scheme, which was published ahead of the Policy and Sustainability Committee meeting next week on Thursday 22 August, has recommended that 2.5% of proceeds collected by…
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2 AugustFood and Drink
Edinburgh hospitality braces for sales rise as Fringe begins
Edinburgh hospitality is due to benefit from a major rise in sales as Edinburgh Fringe and other festivals have kicked off today (2 August). Last year, Edinburgh welcomed almost 250,000 people to its festivals, which helped deliver a 30% rise in average daily sales for hospitality venues in the city…
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Jul- 2024 -1 JulyBusiness
Scottish games during Euros boost hospitality sales by a third
Scottish hospitality venues have experienced a 33% rise in sales during Scotland’s Euros matches. The data, which was collected by CGA by NIQ, revealed that the day of Scotland’s game vs Switzerland generated the biggest boost in sales, with an increase of 38% on last year. Meanwhile, games where Scotland…
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