The recommendation, which would see roles introduced similar to those of Sacha Lord in Manchester and Amy Lamé in London, forms part of the SBPA’s 10-point manifesto aims to support the sector’s recovery after two years of pandemic restrictions. Its other manifesto recommendations include:
- Dedicated hospitality strategies for local areas
- Licensing policy statements that don’t place additional burdens on the sector
- Permanent removal of outdoor permit fees and a flexible approach to planning
- Facilitate shared Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) return points
- Enhanced provision of local transport, promote the use of rural transport routes, postpone plans to introduce low emission zones and rule out the workplace parking levy
- Work collaboratively to facilitate an increase in the availability of low and no-alcohol products
- Assistance in lowering the disproportionate tax burden on pubs and brewers
- A two-year moratorium on policies that may create additional costs for pubs and bars
- Support an energy price cap on hospitality premises
Need for better public transport
Also included within the trade body’s manifesto is a call for better public transport, a reduction in fees for outdoor seating and a more flexible planning approach, as well as an energy price cap on hospitality businesses.
SBPA president Andrew Lawrence said: “Scotland’s beer and pub industry supports 62,000 jobs and contributes £1.75bn to the national economy every year.
“The restrictions placed on our members during the pandemic had a severe impact. We fully understood the need to keep people safe but now, as we come out of the pandemic, there must be a path to recovery.”
Dependent on policymakers
He continued: “Appointing industry champions to stick up for the industry, to help local and national government understand the challenges we face and what is needed to build back, would be a great start.
“Our survival and subsequent recovery is dependent on the support of national and local policymakers. This manifesto gives 10 clear ways in which they can do that, rejuvenate the sector and our town and city centres across the country”.
The SBPA represents about 800 brewers and pub companies in Scotland. It was formed over a century ago as The Brewing Association of Scotland and is now part of the British Beer & Pub Association.
