A close up view of the pub sign hanging on an exterior wall of the Albanach in Edinburgh.

Belhaven manifesto describes how the next Scottish Government can support pubs

The next Scottish Government has been urged to put measures in place to support the long-term future of the nation’s pubs, in a manifesto created by the team from Belhaven Brewery

Launched in an event at the Scottish Parliament earlier this month (January), the manifesto lays out four key focus areas for politicians in 2026 and beyond.

The manifesto focuses on business rates, planning and licensing reform and the Scottish Pubs Code, which are all issues where the Scottish Government has the power to make key decisions that can support thousands of pubs.

With a new Parliament due to be elected in May 2026, the manifesto is targeted at all political parties who are campaigning now ahead of the election and also for those who arrive in Parliament once they are elected as a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP).

The manifesto can be read in full here