By Susan Young
Scotland’s hospitality sector came out swinging at this week’s Glasgow hustings, organised by Stephen Montgomery of the Scottish Hospitality Group and Fiona Campbell MBE, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers – and the politicians in the room were left in no doubt about the mood of an industry pushed to its limits.
The evening opened with a fireside chat featuring some of the sector’s most respected voices – Michael Bergson, Mario Gizzi, Giovanna Eusebi and myself.
Mario Gizzi of DRG set the tone from the off, articulating the frustrations of an industry that feels perpetually overlooked. Giovanna Eusebi was equally compelling. The point was well made – operators are drowning in spreadsheets and answering to accountants when they should be focused on customers and creating opportunities for young people. That’s not the industry anyone got into. And it’s not sustainable.
Michael Bergson was on top form. Frank, honest, pulling no punches – not least in his criticism of the powers that be for what he called the disaster of a city centre that is Glasgow.
Then the politicians took the stage. Questions came thick and fast – particularly on Non-Domestic Rates. This wasn’t theory being batted around a committee room. This was lived experience being put directly to those who shape policy, and the pressure was firmly on.
When asked whether they would halt the revaluation hikes, four out of five panellists said yes. When the same question was put to the audience, every hand went up. That tells its own story.
The one dissenting voice was Ivan McKee of the SNP – and he was the evening’s standout disappointment.
McKee kept referencing the Gill Report as evidence of government listening, while reaching for percentages and statistics as the room bristled with operators living the consequences of those very policies. He was forced to admit the SNP have no plans to halt the rates revaluation, nor to adopt any proposals the report puts forward, for a further three years. That went down like a lead balloon. I was happy to take him on directly – the government’s much-quoted average NDR increase of 12% across Scotland refers to 60,000 businesses, not the 14,000 that make up hospitality, which is the only sector paying rates based on turnover!
My own research across some 300 venues on the assessors’ website showed an average increase of 40%. I have offered to share that spreadsheet. The disconnect was plain to see. This is despite McKee opening by stating how important the relationship between hospitality and government was at an individual level, and how working in partnership with the trade gave government the flexibility to respond to issues the sector raised. Well – there is no bigger issue than NDR.
On the political side, Jamie Greene stood out. Reasoned, calm and honest – a rare combination on a hustings stage. He said, “The government owes you all an apology.” Going on to say, “You have been taken for granted for too long.”
Murdo Fraser’s proposal of a blanket £20k NDR nil tax band was one of the more practical ideas of the night.
The Greens, notably, didn’t show up. Fiona Campbell suggested they may have been “absolutely terrified to show up for the audience.” Given their track record – the Deposit Return Scheme debacle and a string of ill-thought policies that have cost the sector dearly – perhaps that says everything.
The room was full. The energy was high. In truth, they could have filled a bigger space. Stephen Montgomery and Fiona Campbell MBE share a determination, on behalf of their respective associations, to make those in power listen. Expect more of it.
But the bigger takeaway is this. Scotland’s hospitality and tourism sector isn’t just an industry. It’s the country’s culture. It’s where most people had their first job. It’s where young people learn, earn and grow. It defines how Scotland presents itself to the world.
McKee said he “absolutely recognised the value of the sector” and its ability to “help grow the economy.” If he is serious about that, the Scottish Government better rethink its position on NDR. Fiona Campbell summed up the hustings, “What we heard throughout the evening was clear: our sector does not need more warm words or further delay. We need action. The next Scottish Government must commit within its first 100 days to reviewing the methodology underpinning self-catering non-domestic rates, alongside a full review of short-term let licensing and planning policy before further damage is done to businesses, investment and local economies.”
While Stephen Montgomery of SHG said,“t was a landmark occasion that demonstrated, beyond any doubt, the depth of appetite among operators for meaningful, substantive dialogue with policymakers. Businesses were able to share their first-hand experiences – particularly around the deeply unfair non-domestic rates regime – and the passion and raw emotion from the audience was genuinely humbling to witness. But this moment cannot end with words alone.
“The findings of the Gill Review must not be left sitting on a shelf gathering dust – they must translate into real, immediate action. Sustained and genuine engagement with the sector will be essential to ensure non-domestic rates are made fairer for licensed hospitality, and crucially, that meaningful progress is delivered well before 2029. We look forward to working constructively to make that a reality.”
