Dozens of much loved pubs across Scotland in serious danger of pulling their last pint, warns GMB Union
Almost 50 Stonegate pubs across Scotland could close after the company issued a profit warning.
As GMB predicted earlier this year – and despite private equity owner TDR’s assurances to a parliamentary select committee in January – Stonegate says there is no guarantee it can continue as a going concern, as it struggles to refinance a £2.2bn debt mountain.
Stonegate is one of the largest pub companies in the UK, with more than 4,500 pubs and more than 19,000 workers, including brands like Slug and Lettuce, Yates and Walkabout.
The chain has 45 pubs across Scotland
GMB has written to Lian Byrne MP, chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, asking him to recall TDR bosses in light of the profit warning.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “TDR bosses are private equity gamblers- playing fast and loose with people’s jobs and lives.
“When their risky ventures go wrong, they swan off to their next project, leaving workers and communities to pick up the pieces.
“Now, dozens of much loved pubs across Scotland are in serious danger of pulling their last pint.
The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide – is celebrating its 51st edition with a striking cover and a foreword supplied by Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson.
The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs.
Dickinson’s foreword shines a spotlight on the cultural tradition of pubs within the United Kingdom, the importance of protecting the heritage, charm and welcoming nature of pubs and clubs, and not taking them for granted.
The Good Beer Guide, which is published annually by CAMRA, helps beer lovers take a barometer of the local beer scene.
As well as covering 306 of the very best pubs across Aberdeen and Grampian, Argyll and the Isles, Ayrshire and Arran, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Highlands and the Western Isles, Kingdom of Fife, Loch Lomond, Stirling, the Trossachs, the Northern Isles and Tayside, it keeps track of brewery numbers, and notes a net loss of four breweries across the counties.
The story is the same across the UK, as although the Guide records 82 new breweries, 142 have closed. This net loss of 60 breweries is a worrying reminder that a lack of support from the Government means dire consequences for local businesses, in the wake of a cost-of-business crisis and the constant pressure of fuel bills.
This year’s Guide contains 910 newly featured pubs, which is a fantastic prospect for the pub trade which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years following the pandemic and rising fuel costs.
The trade also faces an impending threat from unlawful demolitions, which CAMRA has declared a ‘national scandal’ in the wake of the demolition of the Crooked House in Himley.
CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving.
“I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs and breweries across the UK and support them for generations to come.”
The Good Beer Guide, which reviews over 4,500 pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinkers’ guide to the very best pints in a variety of styles of pubs to suit individual tastes. Compiled by thousands of independent volunteers, it helps identify significant trends and themes locally and nationally.
As the public consultation on proposed changes to ticket offices entered its final week, Transport Focus and London TravelWatch had received more than 100,000 responses.
The consultation on train operator proposals to close the majority of ticket offices in England ends today (Wednesday 26 July.
Launched at the start of the month, the consultation provides people with the opportunity to have their say on how operators sell tickets at stations.
Transport Focus wants to hear from as many people as possible on what the proposals would mean for them and how they might be impacted.
Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith, said: “We’ve had a huge response to the consultation so far, with 100,000 responses received already and one week still to go for people to make their voices heard.
“There’s still time to respond to the consultation if you haven’t done so yet. We want to hear from everyone, so we can consider the needs of all station users and local communities.”
Transport Focus will scrutinise the train company proposals and any mitigations in detail, alongside the public responses, to inform its response.
Transport Focus will be considering issues such as whether the station will continue to be staffed, accessibility, the alternative options for buying tickets and whether passengers will continue to be able to access station facilities like lifts, waiting rooms and toilets.
It is a regulatory requirement as part of the process that Transport Focus and passengers are consulted. Transport Focus will review the impact of the proposed changes and passenger comments received before responding to train operator proposals.
For more information and to take part in the consultation visit:
LOTHIAN MSP Foysol Choudhury is supporting the campaign to keep ticket offices open. He said: “Passengers rely on good connectivity through our train network, whether it be for work or leisure.
“What’s more, many passengers rely on ticket offices in stations to guide them through a journey and help them with buying tickets for a stress-free experience.
“This is especially true of older people or those without digital connectivity, who might not have the ability to book tickets on their phone.
“They are also a massive resource for tourists, such as the thousands who visit Scotland, to help them enjoy trips in what might be an unfamiliar environment.
“That’s why the plans to remove, or reduce the opening hours of, ticket offices for many train operators would be so catastrophic.
“Not only will this affect passengers on train services leaving Scotland, for example, the Avanti West Coast services leaving Glasgow, but it will also affect the huge numbers of passengers who wish to buy tickets in England to travel up to Scotland.
“Just the other week, I was travelling back home to Scotland from England and had difficulties buying tickets on my phone in the station due to connection issues, so much so that I missed the train I wanted to get on.
“If this was difficult for me, I can only imagine how difficult it would be for somebody who was less able to use a smartphone or navigate the complex booking and payment process online.
“Without ticket offices, passenger service could be drastically worsened due to poor accessibility, restricted access to best value tickets and a devastating lack of support for ease of journeys.
“This will also lead to a de-staffing of stations, which could worsen passenger safety, security and experience.
“The consultation runs until TODAY – 26th July 2023.
FISHERIES MINISTER’ SOS: ENSURE YOU DON’T LOSE YOUR LOCAL CHIPPY
A TORY Minister has issued a rallying call to arms to Brits to save their local chippy. Mark Spencer, a Minister in the Department Fisheries, Food and Agriculture, made the plea amid growing concern about the future of many takeaways.
The cost-of-living crisis, coupled with a rise in the price of fish is leading to many struggling to stay afloat.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Spencer said chippies were facing the same pressures as other shops on the High Street.
He told Gloria De Piero: “You can make the same argument about the High Street as well. You know it’s not just fish and chip shops, there are lots of those shops that are under pressure.
“Now the fundamental answer, the direct answer is you’ve got to use them otherwise you’ll lose them. If you don’t use your fish and chip shop it will disappear because it won’t have the trade to be able to continue. You know, I would say to people, ‘Use your fish and chip shop because it’s a great British tradition. And just take a few mushy peas on the side as well’.”
His comments come months after a report claimed half of Britain’s 10,500 fish and chip shops could close due to rocketing costs.As many as 5,000 face being battered by crippling tariffs and the soaring prices of ingredients, government figures reveal.
The combination means the price of a fish and chip supper could rise from an average £8.50 to £11.50.
And hake and other types of white fish could replace traditional cod and haddock shipped in from overseas.
The latest blow came last week when ministers pressed ahead with a 35 per cent tariff on all seafood imported from Russia in a bid to hammer President Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.
Around a third of all UK-imported white fish comes from Russia which controls up to 45 per cent of the global supply.
Lancashire chip shop owner Andrew Crook, of the National Federation of Fish Friers, said his cod supplies have already risen from £8 to £14 a kilo.He warned: “These extra tariffs will push thousands of shops over the edge.”
Barrie Deas, chief executive of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said: “Costs will go up — but there is a big opportunity to increase North Sea catches such as haddock and whiting.”
The closure of the Bathgate Department of Work and Pensions office will be a “huge blow to local people” according to Lothian MSP, Lorna Slater, who has warned that the extra costs and travel time will be particularly harsh for parents and young people.
Lorna wrote this in a letter to the UK Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP following an announcement that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to close 40 offices across the UK. This follows warnings from the Scottish Government that the closures could impact up to 3,000 jobs.
The changes will force workers to travel to the nearest DWP office in Falkirk but, as Lorna notes in her letter, this will be unaffordable for many workers.
In a letter to Mims Davies MP, Lorna Slater wrote: “It is extremely disappointing that yet again the UK Government is moving jobs out of West Lothian. We have recently seen the closure of the Livingston HMRC office with staff forced to start commuting to Edinburgh or face redundancy.
“Many families in Bathgate are already struggling to make ends meet due to the brutal austerity of the UK Government and the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. I am particularly worried for parents and younger people. The timing of this closure could not be worse for them.
“Commuting between Bathgate and Falkirk can be difficult, particularly when relying on public transport. By train this journey can take upwards of an hour and when relying on buses this can be even longer.”
UNISON will be holding a static lobby outside the Edinburgh City Chambers tomorrow (Tuesday 17th August) from 9.30am to coincide with the meeting of the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) meeting taking place at 10am.
Although this meeting will not be making a final decision on care home closures, they will be planning to move forward with wider consultation on the issue, with the purpose of coming to a decision at a meeting in September.
It was UNISON’s quick actions that ensured the EIJB did not move forward with the proposed closures at their meeting on 22nd June 2021.
UNISON will be making a deputation to the meeting tomorrow and will be calling for:
the saving of our care homes;
meaningful engagement with the trade unions;
call for proper impact assessments; and
the need to have a wide-ranging meaningful public consultation.
UNISON want care homes to remain run by and for the public and not run by private companies for private profit.
If publicly owned and run care homes are not up to standard, then investment in adaptation, or the building of new care homes must be done to ensure that any demand can be met.
Staff in care home must be paid a decent wage, have access to developmental training and feel secure in their employment.
The lobby outside the City Chambers on Tuesday 17th August is only part of the union’s campaign to ‘Save Our Care Homes’ and UNISON plan to build to a bigger event for the September meeting.
You can sign UNISON’s petition here and click here for a link to a ready-made email to your MSP.
The Another Edinburgh is Possible campaign group is also urging the capital’s citizens to support the fight against care home closures:
‘Join the protest rally outside the City Chambers as the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board meets on Tuesday 17th August. It’s likely that the board will hold a special meeting in September to make the decision to close 5 out of the 9 local authority care homes in Edinburgh.
‘We want to build a campaign that is so strong that when that meeting takes place the board has no option but to drop its’ closure plans. Three Edinburgh City Councillors sit on the board. We’ve written to the leaders of all five party groups on the council demanding that their group takes a clear and unambiguous public position in opposition to the closures.’
Corstorphine and Wester Hailes stores set to close
Health and household goods retailer Semichem is consulting on the closure of up to 22 stores across Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North East of England.EdinburghSemichem stores at Corstorphine and Wester Hailes are among those earmarked for closure.
Stores in Musselburgh and Dalkeith also face closure.
The closures have been prompted by ongoing challenges to high street trading, which have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The business, which is owned by community retailer Scotmid Co-operative, is in talks with landlords in several locations and will make a final decision on a small number of the 22 stores in the coming months.
A total of 140 Semichem staff have now entered a formal consultation process. Management at Scotmid are exploring opportunities to redeploy as many as possible within its wider business.
Karen Scott, Head of Semichem, said: “The high street was already struggling to adapt to the pace of change in shopping habits, including out-of-town developments and the rise of internet shopping.
“That change has undoubtedly been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Sadly, we have reached the point where it is no longer viable to keep some of our stores open.
“We are grateful for both Scotmid and subsequent government support, which has undoubtedly prolonged the life of many stores.
“Our priority now is to support affected colleagues at this difficult time. We are already looking for redeployment opportunities within the Scotmid group and will help all our staff both personally and professionally.”
Semichem was founded in 1980 and became part of Scotmid Co-operative in 1995. It currently operates 86 stores in shopping centres and on high streets across Northern Ireland, Scotland and the North East of England. Over the last three years, Semichem has invested £2.2 million in refitting stores and trialling a range of new retail concepts.
Karen Scott added: “The remaining stores in our Semichem portfolio are trading satisfactorily given the current circumstances.
“Like many other retailers, we are hopeful that, as restrictions ease, footfall will return to our high streets. I am also pleased to say that our investment programme will resume in the summer.”
phs Index reveals one in 20 places still shutdown following COVID lockdown
New white paper reports extent of coronavirus impact on organisations
phs Index barometer shows 95% of premises now open after 43% closed during lockdown
Scotland hit hardest by closures with 51% closed during lockdown
New data indicates building usage halved over lockdown; they remain 17% quieter
Research reveals consumers in Scotland not confident to return to local businesses; 29% not confident in hygiene measures and 33% not confident in social distancing practices
New data released by facilities services provider phs Group reveals one in 20 UK premises remain closed after 43% were shut down during the coronavirus lockdown. In Scotland, the impact is even more pronounced with 51% of premises shut during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new phs Index, published six-months on from the onset of lockdown, reports that 95% of organisations (businesses, governmental and non-governmental organisations) across the UK are now open following widespread closures; translating to one in 20 which are still shut down. However, Central London is lagging behind the UK with just 90% of premises open; equating to one in 10 which is still closed.
Building occupancy has dropped
Nationally, the amount of washroom waste generated by UK organisations in the last four months dropped by 49% year on year. As a good proxy for building occupancy, this indicates the nation’s organisations saw staff, visitor and customer levels almost halve this summer as lockdown took hold. In London, the amount of waste collected over the same period was down 73%, indicating a significant drop in building usage that far exceeds the national average.
Despite the number of reopenings, premises are now still significantly quieter with phs data showing a reduction in usage of 17% in August 2020 compared to pre-COVID levels meaning staff, visitors and customers are not fully returning. London is feeling the pain more than most with buildings a substantial 38% quieter in August.
The findings are published today (Wednesday, 24 September) in the new phs Index white paper, based on phs’ analysis of more than 120,000 UK organisations across all sectors and nearly 300,000 visits to customer premises each month, delivering a range of facilities services, including washroom services. Using this data, phs is uniquely positioned to identify trends in how organisations are being impacted by COVID-19 including insights into building closures and reopenings, rates of building occupancy and the impact on different sectors and geographical regions.
Consumer confidence still struggles
To find out more about consumer confidence, phs commissioned new independent research, asking people how they felt about going into local businesses.
In Scotland, nearly a third (29%) admitted to not being very confident about social distancing practices in these premises and a third (33%) are not confident about hygiene measures.
This implies that concerns about not being able to adhere to COVID safety measures is holding people back from returning to the places they would normally work and visit. Interestingly, consumer opinion is split between Edinburgh and Glasgow with people from Edinburgh must more risk averse.
In Edinburgh, 40% and 35% admitted they were not confident in social distancing and hygiene measures respectively. In Glasgow, only 28% and 24% were not confident in social distancing and hygiene in local businesses.
Food and accommodation the hardest hit sector
The phs Index reveals that at some point during lockdown, 43% of total premises shut down. A total of 5% remain closed now. The accommodation and food sector was the hardest hit with 73% of sites shutdown at the peak of closures (reached at the end of May) and 8% remaining closed today.
The arts, entertainment and recreation sector was the second most affected with 62% of sites shutdown at the peak of closures (reached in mid-June). Today, 11% remain closed – more than double the national average.
But it’s not just about public-facing building; 38% of financial and business services sector sites were shut at the peak of closures, reached at the end of May, with more than one in 10 (11%) remaining closed today.
With these sectors synonymous with London’s economy, the prolonged closures in these sectors tell the story of London’s struggle to bounce back. In addition, phs reports that while 43% of education sites shut down at the peak of closures (end of May), 99% opened their doors for the start of the new academic year.
Scotland experiences biggest closure rate
Across the UK, phs reports the distinct differences in the extent of the closure of organisations . As a result of lockdown, more organisations closed in Scotland than anywhere else with 51% of sites shutting down. By comparison, 32% shutdown in Northern Ireland, 42% shutdown in Wales and 43% shutdown in England – with the UK average shutdown rate also 43%.
When it comes to reopenings, 92% of premises are open in Scotland, 95% in England, 96% in Wales and 97% in Northern Ireland.
Lag in re-openings following restriction easings
The phs Index reveals the lag between the announcements of lockdown restriction easings and reopenings, determining an average of two weeks before organisations responded and still 5% of sites remaining closed today. Analysing the response of the accommodation and food service sector (including cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels), the phs Index reports:
End of May: peak of closures in England with 72% of sites shut – open rate of 28%
Between end of May and 4 July: closures reduce to 48% – open rate of 52%
4 July: UK Government allows cafes, pubs, restaurants and hotels in England to reopen
1 week later (11 July): closures reduce to 40% – open rate of 60%
1 month later (4 August): closures reduce to 23% – open rate of 77%
Now, 2+ months later: closures reduced to 8% – open rate of 92%
Interestingly, 24% of sites reopened before the official date of 4 July, indicating businesses were reformatting themselves into takeaways, home delivery outlets or essential retail outlets.
However, the lag in reopenings tells us many organisations were simply not ready; either having not being given enough time to prepare or not having got to grips with new social distancing measures – or that it was perceived to be unsafe or not economically viable to reopen.
Risk organisations may struggle to reopen
The concern for the 5% of sites that have been closed for as much as six months is what happens next; phs analysis of 2008 recession data reveals it took nearly five years for the economy to fully recover to its pre-recession level.
Over this period, phs experienced a cancellation rate owing to permanent closure that was 65% higher than before the recession. The question now is whether the remaining one in 20 closed sites can weather the storm and be able to re-open.
David Taylor-Smith, CEO of phs Group, said: “The new phs Index gets to the heart of the impact of the coronavirus on organisations, creating a barometer for closures and occupancy during a turbulent and unpredictable time when organisations across the country shut their doors overnight and people were told to stay home.
“While the strictest period of lockdown may be over, the phs Index demonstrates there is a long way to go until organisations fully recover. Even though we’re seeing reasonably high reopen rates for organisations, the real story is that people – staff, visitors and customers – have not yet returned with buildings being 17% quieter overall and 38% quieter in London.
“It remains to be seen how many more people will return in the coming months as the pandemic and risk of future local lockdown plays out. In the interim, the only solution for organisations is to instil indisputable staff and consumer confidence in their premises, reassuring people that everything is being done to ensure their premises is as safe as possible.”
For more information and to download the free phs Index white paper, visit the phs website.
An action plan has been drawn up for creating safe and accessible spaces for walking and cycling in Edinburgh during the coronavirus outbreak, and when the city emerges from the crisis.
On Thursday (14 May), members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report setting out criteria for temporary walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as a package of short and long-term measures to establish safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.
Additional improvements are proposed for other ‘pinch points’ across the city, such as road closures, the introduction of bus gates and temporary cycle lanes. As restrictions are eased and traffic increases, further changes to facilitate safe movement are likely to include pedestrian priority at signalised road crossings, extended bus lane hours, widened pavements and a review of speed limits.
To provide extra space in the city centre, and as residents return to a ‘new normal’, it is also intended that key proposals from the Edinburgh City Centre Transformation plan are brought forward to prioritise pedestrians and cyclists.
In particular, Bank Street, East Market Street and East Princes Street would be closed to car traffic while on Victoria Street and Cockburn Street through traffic would be eliminated and parking provision reduced.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “We’re leading the way with our approach to safer, more accessible streets and we’ve received a huge amount of support for our plans to create more room for pedestrians and cyclists. It’s clear that people want and need to make essential journeys and take daily exercise by foot or bike safely and we need to give them the space to do so.
“It’s no secret that we face many months of upheaval as we work to emerge from this crisis, and this will no doubt impact on the way we move around the city. As we return to a ‘new normal’, our citywide strategy will support people to make journeys by foot, bike or public transport while continuing to observe physical distancing.
“We’ve been working closely with the Scottish Government and Sustrans to make improvements such as these easier in the long term. By bringing forward more permanent plans to prioritise these modes of transport, we’re also looking to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future for Edinburgh.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “We’re already seeing the benefits in areas where we’ve implemented changes and we’re working to introduce improvements to other pinch points across the city, helping people to reach nearby open spaces, essential services and to get to and from work safely. We’ve already identified several streets but we’d also welcome any suggestions from the public.
“It’s crucial that these measures work for everyone living on or near the streets concerned. We’ve been engaging closely with local communities to make sure access is maintained for deliveries, those with mobility issues and emergency services, and these conversations will help us as we continue to roll out changes.”
David Hunter, from the Living Streets Edinburgh Group, said: “With the need for physical distancing continuing, and more people walking and cycling, it’s vital there are safe ways for people to get around. Walking should be the top option for people to get around their local community.
“Living Streets Scotland and the Living Streets Edinburgh Group welcome the council’s intent to help people walk and cycle safely. We’re especially keen to see practical measures which give adequate space to pedestrians in congested streets.”
Since the implementation of restrictions in March, it is estimated that cycling and walking has increased by 15 to 20%, while travel by car and public transport has dropped. During this time, we have seen a rise in reports of congestion on pedestrian and cycling routes, with people finding it difficult to maintain physical distancing.
As we plan for Edinburgh’s recovery, we are expecting to see a change in the way people move around the city. By facilitating a growth in walking, cycling and public transport use, we want to sustain improvements to air quality seen during recent months as well as contributing to meeting the Capital’s target to be carbon neutral by 2030.
On Thursday (14 May), councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will be asked to approve the submission of an application for funding from the Scottish Government’s £10m ‘Spaces for People’ scheme supporting local authorities to deliver temporary improvements for walking and cycling.
Our own criteria for making improvements would be in line with the Spaces for People objectives and measures would seek to:
Make space for people to exercise.
Make space for people to travel safely around the city.
Reduce risk to people who use the carriageway for travel or exercise.
Make space for people in shopping streets and in the city centre.
We are currently reviewing our existing active travel programme to identify routes which could be brought forward to support these objectives. We have been working with key stakeholders and Police Scotland to highlight other streets which are not part of the programme but where changes would improve the safety of pedestrians and cyclists.
These include:
The closure of Waverley Bridge to traffic.
Temporary footway widening on Morrison Street, Morningside Road and Easter Road.
Temporary footway widening and cycle segregation on George IV Bridge.
A 24-hour bus gate with loading and parking restrictions on Liberton Road, Craigmillar Park and Minto Street.
The closure of road on East Fettes Avenue.
Installation of bus gates on Dundee St at Fountainbridge and closure of Viewforth, as well as some temporary cycle segregation on Dundee Street.
The introduction of a bus lane on Queensferry Road.
Measures would be subject to a detailed design and risk assessment process, which may result in an alternative approach. Officers will consult with local ward members and other public services to prioritise routes and changes for implementation.
Unfortunately the Neighbourhood Centre has closed its doors until further notice. We are expected to be closed for at least the next three weeks and will then be guided by Government directives.
Emails to the Neighbourhood Centre will be remotely monitored by Roy and Lynda as will our Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Emails to info@drylawnc.org.uk is the preferred method of contact.
We hope to see you all very soon and will let you know when we are open for business. Until then stay safe.
