Scotland’s three major hospitality trade associations have called on the Scottish Government not to exclude pubs from current proposals which would see other hospitality premises like restaurants have greater flexibility with on-street seating.
As part of the Permitted Development Rights consultation - which closed 4 August - outdoor restaurant seating could be permitted without a planning application.
Under the current proposal however, it would only apply to restaurants and other businesses currently operating as a class 3 businesses - food and drink for consumption on the premises - not pubs or bars. This is due to pubs and bars being classified differently, despite the fact many are now indistinguishable from restaurants and other 'hybrid' venues.
In their submissions to the Scottish Government’s consultation, the Scottish Beer & Pub Association (SBPA), Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), and UKHospitality Scotland (UKHS) joined in their call.
Paul Togneri, senior policy manager at the SBPA, said: “Since the planning use classes came into effect, the hospitality industry has changed massively - many pubs and bars provide almost identical services to restaurants and should be able to benefit from the same relaxation being offered to them.
“We saw a relaxation of planning for outdoor areas during the pandemic which gave many premises the ability to trade through an exceptionally difficult period, and we’re glad that the government are now seeking to make some of those relaxations permanent, but it needs to be for the whole of hospitality - pubs and bars are at risk of being forgotten about.”
SLTA managing director Colin Wilkinson said: “The current exclusion of pubs and bars from the Permitted Development Rights proposal, in our view, is nothing short of discriminatory.
“Over the last few years, pubs and bars have become restaurants and restaurants have become pubs and bars and in operational terms and service offering there is, in our opinion, little to distinguish from the two.
“Our sector is extremely envious of the recent development in England where hospitality venues can now benefit from the ability to erect a non-permanent outdoor structure, subject to a number of restrictions and conditions, without planning permission or associated costs - so it is incumbent on the Scottish Government to support all sectors of the Scottish licensed hospitality industry in this same manner.”
UKHS executive director Leon Thompson added: “As well as the support this would give to these licensed premises, it will avoid confusion in deciding what is a pub and what isn't, with many businesses classified as pubs now involved in selling food.
“Last month England made pavement licenses permanent, providing potentially business-saving opportunities to hundreds of pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes - Scotland's hospitality businesses should have access to at least the same generous terms.”
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