Hard-pressed pub landlords in Scotland may choose not to keep their bars open late for VE Day amid fears they could LOSE money because of Labour and SNP red tape.
Licensed premises in England and Wales will see their opening hours extended on May 8 as part of UK Government plans to commemorate the ending of the Second World War in Europe in 1945.
Calls have been made for Scottish councils to also allow pubs to stay open longer.
However, when Scotland’s 32 local authorities were approached by The Mail on Sunday, the majority of them said no pubs had requested the licence extension.
Hospitality groups have explained the sector is now in such a bad way that keeping the taps running late will see them lose money due to decisions taken by the UK and Scottish Governments.
Stephen Montgomery, director of the Scottish Hospitality Group, said: ‘With the 80th anniversary of VE Day nearly upon us, and as an ex serviceman myself, it is important we remember the sacrifice made by our armed forces right across the UK.’
However, he added: ‘The only issue is VE Day is a Thursday and many places are finding it hard to fill their venues.
‘So it could be counter productive for many given the cost pressures we face after the devastation inflicted on the sector by Rachel Reeves through the National Insurance increases at a UK level, and also the lack of support for many hospitality businesses from the Scottish Government in regards to the non-domestic rates discount seen in England.’
Revellers in Scotland have fun on VE Day, such as this party in 2020, but pubs won’t be able to help keep celebrations go on longer as they face increased costs
Pub bosses say the sector is struggling as a result of Rachel Reeves’ increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions
Colin Wilkinson, the managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, said: ‘The fact no bars or pubs are asking for an extension speaks for itself.
‘The big killer now is the rise in National Insurance contributions that employers have to make for staff, it is unbelievable.’
Mr Wilkinson, who has 44 years of experience in the licensed trade, said he had never seen the sector in such a bad way.
Bars in England and Wales will be able to stay open until 1am on May 8 after an extension was announced by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer.
Scottish Secretary Ian Murray called on the Scottish Government to follow suit, although licensing is actually a local authority decision.
Most of Scotland’s councils have confirmed they will not be extending the licensing limits, either because bars and restaurants had not requested it, or because a 1am cut-off time was already in place.
In response to the concerns raised by the licensed trade, the UK government said it is supporting pubs ‘by capping corporation tax, cutting alcohol duty on draught pints, and protecting the smallest businesses from the employer NI rise’.
Meanwhile, the Scottish Government said the Chancellor should reverse the hike in employers’ NI contributions. It also said it had offered 40 per cent relief – capped at £110,000 – for premises eligible for the Basic Property Rate.
