Save Our Pubs: Sir Tom Hunter's call to ban ministers from their locals shows how dire situation has become

Leading businessman Sir Tom Hunter is a man on a mission. Fresh from launching his “Entrepreneurs Manifesto for Scotland”, he’s now taking up the fight on behalf of the struggling hospitality sector, calling for “every government minister” to be banned from their local pub and restaurant.

Inspired by Chancellor Rachel Reeves being barred by her local, Hunter suggested the tactic should be used in Scotland to make the SNP wake up to the harm being caused by lower levels of rates relief in Scotland compared to south of the Border and the current rates revaluation, which could add tens of thousands of pounds to tax bills.

“Business rates are having a terrible impact on businesses across Scotland, particularly in hospitality,” he said. “What will it take to make the government officials and rates assessor understand the damage they are doing?”

According to a Scottish Licensed Trade Association survey, 73 per cent of respondents said their profits had fallen and 14 per cent were either planning to close or considering doing so.

READ MORE: If Northern Ireland can help struggling hospitality businesses, why can’t Scotland?

Sir Tom Hunter has called for government ministers to be banned from their local pubs over business rates (Picture: Lesley Martin) | PA

Heart of the community

It’s an issue the Scottish Conservatives have chosen to highlight, with Scotsman columnist Murdo Fraser MSP writing today about the devastating effects pub closures can have.

“Pubs and hotels... act as a social hub for communities, particularly in rural areas. Too many villages over the years have seen the local school close, followed by the newsagent and grocer’s shop,” he writes. “The church may well be closing its doors and... that might leave the local pub or small hotel as the last place where the community can gather.”

In last month’s Budget, Finance Secretary Shona Robison announced £138 million of rates relief, saying this would mean that 96 per cent of retail, leisure, and hospitality businesses would pay zero or reduced rates in the next three years. However, business leaders have said this is not enough.

Politicians are used to special pleading, but they also need to be able to recognise genuine appeals for help. Pubs and restaurants have been having a hard time since the pandemic and deserve our support. With the Holyrood election and World Cup looming, “no pubs, no party” may become an increasingly powerful political slogan.