Soapbox: Is alcohol in Scotland an endangered species?

Luvians manager Archie McDiarmid fears for the future of the alcohol industry in Scotland if government proposals go ahead

More late stage delay for Scottish DRS

A Gateway Review into the already pushed back Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Scotland has concluded that the scheme won’t be fit to launch by August 2023.

Hospitality sector welcomes relaxation of work from home rules in Scotland

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday (January 25) that office workers would be allowed to return to their desks from 31 January, a move that has been enthusiastically welcomed by the Scottish Licensed Trade Association.

Hospitality sector urges Scottish government to rescind indoor dining restrictions

Nicola Sturgeon's announcement that the limitations and restrictions on indoor dining would continue until at least 24 January has been widely condemned by interest groups in Scotland.

Scotland's winter budget offers relief to struggling businesses

SNP finance secretary Kate Forbes outlined the 2021/22 budget in the Scottish parliament yesterday (9 December), with some good news for ailing retailers and hospitality venues.

Scottish hospitality sector relieved as passport scheme not extended

Yesterday's announcement by the Scottish government that the Covid-19 passport scheme will not be expanded to encompass the wider licensed hospitality industry has been met with relief and jubilation.

Scotland delays implementation of Deposit Return Scheme

A perfect storm of Covid-19, Brexit and a struggling hospitality sector has delayed the introduction of Scotland's inaugural DRS scheme, according to Scottish Minister Lorna Slater.

Vaccine passports halve late-night sales in Scotland

NTIA calls Welsh Covid passport vote a ‘shambles’

The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has called the vote on the introduction of Welsh Covid passports a ‘shambles’ and has called for an urgent revote.

Late-night sector reacts to passport ‘shambles’ in Scotland

The Scottish late-night sector has labelled the introduction of Covid passports, which came into force on Friday 1 October, as a “shambles”.

Scottish passport plans ‘capture swathes’ of the night time economy

The Scottish vaccine passport plans are likely to cover more venues than just nightclubs after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon unveiled the details of the plans yesterday.

Scottish trade hails reopening but raises concerns for the future

The hospitality sector has welcomed news that Scotland will be easing Covid-19 restrictions from next week but has called for more clarity on the details.

Scottish Wholesale Association’s Achievers Awards open for entries

Entries are now open for the Achievers Awards 2022, the industry programme that rewards outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland.

Level 4 climbdown offers some relief for Scotland

Level 4 restrictions will come to an end for parts of west central Scotland from 6pm on December 11. However, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) has said that there is much left to be done if businesses are to survive ongoing government measures.

Scottish food and drink wholesalers to receive £5m resilience fund

A new Scottish Wholesale Food and Drink Resilience Fund has been established by the Scottish government to help wholesalers affected by Covid-19 restrictions to cover fixed costs for a six-month period from October 2020.

Chivas chief slams Scots govt for whisky sector lockdown failure

The Scottish government failed to support the Scottish whisky industry at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, Jean-Christophe Coutures, the chairman and chief executive of Chivas Brothers, has said.

Scottish distillers pledge 13.5 million litres of ethanol for hand sanitiser

Distillers across Scotland have currently pledged over 13.5 million litres of ethanol to support the production of more than 54 million bottles of hand sanitiser. 

Concerns DRS scheme could cause havoc with labelling laws

The new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers could cause chaos for products bound for differing parts of the UK, an industry body has warned.

Birse-Stewart joins Berkmann’s Scottish team

Distributor Berkmann Wine Cellars has appointed Billy Birse-Stewart as consultant director.

CBD rum ad ruling points to new marketing restrictions

The ASA has banned adverts for a cannabis-oil infused rum, in a ruling that could have implications for the marketing of the fast-growing CBD-drinks sector.