The SLTA (Scottish Licensed Trade Association) said one in eight (16%) of the 300 pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels surveyed said visits had reduced because of the drugs.
asserted
visits → say → drugs
Another 22% also said their customers had become more “discerning” because of fat-loss treatments.
asserted
customers → say → treatments
The SLTA’s Summer On-Trade Market Insight Report said it was among a number of challenges facing the sector.
asserted
it → say → sector
A majority (58%) of firms surveyed said their business was in decline, despite two thirds saying there had been a boost from the World Cup.
asserted
thirds → survey → Cup
The report found the Commonwealth games “did nothing for sales in pubs and bars”.
asserted
games → find → pubs
Some 71% expect to break even or be profitable – up from 63% in the body’s winter survey.
asserted
% → expect → survey
Forecast trading for the rest of 2026 is also more positive than in the previous survey, with 61% of outlets expecting growth or stability and the number considering closing dropping by 9%.
asserted
number → expect → %
Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: “The World Cup provided a brief sales boost, but the broader economic outlook remains challenging.
asserted
outlook → say → boost
“Members report weak consumer confidence as global events prolong economic uncertainty.
asserted
events → report → uncertainty
“A new trend has also emerged with 16% of respondents saying visits have declined because of the weight-loss drugs phenomenon.”
asserted
visits → emerge → phenomenon
Mr Wilkinson said Scottish businesses also faced the “unique challenge” of higher commercial rates and energy charges than those elsewhere in the UK.
asserted
businesses → say → UK
He said: “Business profitability remains a major concern, so we urge all parties within the Scottish Parliament to place early rates reform, and within the Westminster Parliament a reduction in VAT for the licensed hospitality sector, truly at the heart of their economic strategies.
asserted
profitability → say → strategies
“Both governments have recently stated again that one of their core priorities is growing the economy.
asserted
one → state → economy
Well, the time is now – no more just ‘talk the talk’, it’s time to ‘walk the walk’.”
asserted
it → talk → walk
He called on the UK Government to copy Ireland and reduce VAT for hospitality firms in the UK.
asserted
He → call → UK
He added: “We also ask, again, for Scotland’s First Minister to add his support for a VAT reduction for the hospitality sector, something he dodged answering recently when asked by one of his own industry-respected party colleagues Alyn Smith MSP, if he would back the UK-wide ‘VAT’s the Problem’ campaign which is calling on the Westminster government to cut VAT to 10% for hospitality businesses.
asserted
which → add → businesses
“We also ask the Scottish Government to fast-track the review of the commercial rating methodology used for the rating of licensed hospitality venues in Scotland and to engage more closely with the sector.
asserted
We → ask → sector
Some 97% of businesses surveyed reported an increase in costs, with 57% saying costs had increased significantly above inflation.
asserted
costs → survey → inflation
There is concern about the future talent pipeline and calls for more support for apprenticeship schemes, the SLTA said.
asserted
SLTA → be → schemes
A spokesperson for the Treasury said: “The Chancellor is fully focused on his priorities, to give families and businesses a bit of breathing space, back British jobs, and drive growth in every postcode, underpinned by a commitment to meet the fiscal rules.
asserted
Chancellor → say → rules
“As has always been the case, decisions on tax are a matter for the Chancellor to set out at fiscal events, rather than routinely commenting on rumour, speculation or proposals.”
asserted
Chancellor → set → rumour
A Scottish Government spokesperson said the deputy First Minister recently announced a comprehensive review of non-domestic rates, which examine improvements and reforms that can be made to the system.
asserted
that → say → system
The spokesperson also said the Scottish Government has commissioned an independent review of the valuation methodology for licensed hospitality properties.
asserted
Government → say → properties
“This comes on top of Scottish Government support ensuring that 96% of retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in Scotland can already benefit from rates relief, and the Small Business Bonus Scheme which is the most generous of its kind on the UK,” the spokesperson said.
asserted
spokesperson → come → UK
“It is still unclear how the UK Government announcement will affect funding for Scotland’s block grant.
uncertain
announcement → affect → grant
Our own decisions on rates and reliefs will be set out in the normal way as part of the Scottish Budget.”
asserted
decisions → set → Budget
The Aporia
