Belhaven has invested nearly £5 million across 22 pubs in Scotland during 2025, marking a fourfold increase in refurbishment activity compared to previous years. The programme spans managed, leased, tenanted and franchised sites and is being hailed by the brewer as a major vote of confidence in the resilience and growth potential of the Scottish pub sector.
More than £2.5 million has been channelled into six major managed pub projects, with average spend of around £400,000 per site. Key refurbishments include Molly Malones in Aberdeen, the Merlin in Edinburgh and the Kittoch in East Kilbride, alongside additional projects in Edinburgh and Glasgow designed to refresh interiors, boost food trade and widen appeal for families and younger adults.
The investment coincides with a landmark year for Belhaven’s Pub Partners division, which has rolled out Greene King’s Hive and Nest franchise models in Scotland for the first time. Nine franchise pubs have launched at a total cost of about £2.2 million, including a £500,000 overhaul of the Stables in Stenhousemuir and new franchise openings in both Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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Alongside the managed and franchise estates, Belhaven has committed six‑figure sums to seven leased and tenanted pubs across the country. Stand‑out projects include the Mallard in Dingwall and the Steelworks in Motherwell, where investment has focused on upgrading trading areas and amenities to help local operators drive footfall and spend in their communities.
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.”
While the £5 million programme underlines confidence in Scotland’s on‑trade, Belhaven is warning that rising business rates risk undermining future investment. Citing analysis from UKHospitality Scotland that rateable values could jump by around 23% in 2026, the brewer is urging the Scottish Government to pause revaluations and deliver meaningful rates reform to protect pubs and safeguard jobs.
