Japanese restaurant and bar Mikaku, based on Glasgow’s Queen Street, has launched a 30-day campaign in a bid to secure its future. The venue is offering 20% off all bills throughout the month, alongside daily specials, events and limited-edition dishes — both as a thank you to customers and a push to drive support.
“It’s our way of saying thank you — and giving people a reason to come out, bring friends, and help us keep something amazing alive in the city centre,” said Director Nathan Sparling.
The Mikaku team say their chefs, creatives and servers — backed by others in Glasgow’s hospitality community — are determined to fight for the venue’s future, while highlighting the policy decisions they believe are making life increasingly difficult for independents.
Despite strong local backing and a loyal customer base, the business points to unsustainable operating costs as a major threat. Inflation, unreliable public transport, city centre parking challenges and the recent Employer National Insurance rise are among the key pressures cited.
“We’re lucky to have an incredibly supportive landlord and a brilliant community around us,” said Sparling. “But the rising cost of simply existing as an independent hospitality venue — especially in the city centre — is now overwhelming. This campaign is about more than saving one restaurant. It’s about fighting for culture, creativity, and fair opportunity in Glasgow.”
The campaign also acts as a broader call to action aimed at local and national government. The Mikaku team are encouraging the public to support independents not just as businesses, but as cultural spaces, community hubs and employers.
They are calling on Glasgow City Council to address city centre access, improve public transport, and take steps to increase footfall. They’re also urging the Scottish and UK governments to take action on energy costs, employer tax burdens and longer-term investment in the night-time economy. Without that support, they say, more venues like Mikaku will continue to close.
The campaign comes at a time of increasing pressure on the sector. Between March 2020 and the end of 2024, Scotland saw an 11.9% drop in licensed premises — from 10,541 to 9,283. Nightclubs fell by 34% in the same period, according to the Night Time Industries Association. A recent SLTA survey found 6% of operators are considering closure, with 80% expecting further economic decline.
Mikaku’s campaign runs until 11 May.