Belhaven has confirmed it invested almost £5 million in its Scottish pubs in 2025, spanning 22 managed, tenanted and franchised pubs.
The investment programme increased fourfold this year in terms of Belhaven pub refurbishments and marked a significant milestone for the leased, tenanted and franchise side of the business, Pub Partners, as it launched its growing pub franchise models, Hive and Nest, in Scotland for the first time in 2025.
Key managed pub investments have included Molly Malones in Aberdeen, the Merlin in Edinburgh and the Kittoch in East Kilbride. There were six investment projects topping £2.5 million across managed pubs, including three in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow, with an average spend of c£400k.
It has been a landmark year for Pub Partners as it launched nine franchise pubs in Scotland, costing a total of £2.2 million. £500k was invested at the Stables, in Stenhousemuir, with two new franchise openings in Edinburgh and four in Glasgow.
Pub Partners also invested six-figure sums across seven leased and tenanted sites. Significant projects were at the Mallard in Dingwall and the Steelworks in Motherwell.
The investments represent a vote of confidence in Scottish pubs and the sector’s potential to drive economic growth in communities across the country through increased job creation and driving footfall in local communities.
However, recent analysis by UKHospitality Scotland of the draft valuation roll from the Scottish Assessors Association has revealed significant business rates rises in 2026 unless action is taken.
Rateable values are set to increase 23% on average across Scottish hospitality businesses if the Scottish Government does not take steps, including pausing the move to new revaluations.
At a time when costs have risen across the board for all pubs and hospitality premises, business rates represent a pragmatic area for the Scottish Government to move to protect pubs from even steeper cost rises and make investments like Belhaven’s more viable for the years ahead.
For Belhaven, it has seen the community benefit of these investments in 2025, particularly with the launch of its Hive and Nest franchises, which have built on their successes in England where Greene King currently operates over 90 franchise pubs.
A franchisee in Scotland can take over their own franchise pub from as little as £3,000 ingoing cost, which covers agreement fees, induction, and on-site training. Earnings are based on a percentage of food and drink sales, with additional opportunities for profit-sharing and performance-based bonuses.
Penelope Bruce, Pub Partners operations director, said: “We have been thrilled to launch and successfully drive our franchise pub concepts across Scotland this year. We will continue to support our growing family of franchisees every step of the way as they build thriving pubs at the heart of their local communities. It’s been so good to see the appetite from experienced operators choosing our franchise models as they realise the potential and benefits. These nine pubs have been rejuvenated in 2025 and we hope to work with the Scottish Government to show how they can ease the regulatory burdens facing the pubs sector so that investments like this can thrive for years to come.”
Commenting on the managed pubs’ investments, David McBride, Belhaven Pubs business unit director, said: “Scottish hospitality is renowned, and we have many historic and iconic pubs here full of stories and memories for so many people. These are not just bricks and mortar, they are much-loved hubs of local communities and cities.
“We need the Government to listen to the industry and address the need for meaningful reform of business rates. We can see how pubs in England are bracing for cost rises in April and we are hoping that the Scottish Government listens to the calls from the industry and steps in to prevent significant business rates rises at a time when a number of other costs are already due to rise in 2026.
“Despite the ongoing economic and legislative challenges and costs of doing business, we have a duty of care to our pubs, pub teams, customers and communities to make sure we offer the best possible service and experience in our pubs so investment remains vital.
“Our work highlights the social and economic value in protecting our pubs, maintaining the character of each site while adapting to changing consumer needs. We will continue to work with all parties to help our pubs thrive in Scotland.”
