AN SNP MP is urging pub companies to cancel rents for landlords while premises are closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tommy Sheppard, who represents Edinburgh East, has written to Belhaven/Greene King, Pub Taverns, Hawthorn Leisure Ltd and Trust Inns Ltd - calling for the firms to put in place a rent freeze for their tenant licensees during the Covid-19 enforced closure.
Mr Sheppard's constituency includes a large number of pubs and bars owned by the big companies - and is pressing them to follow Admiral Taverns' example after the company cancelled rents due in April.
He said: "There have been a number of supports put in place for pubs which I welcome, but the reality is that if rents are not cancelled, landlords will face tens of thousands of pounds in rent arrears with very little prospect of paying these debts off.
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"Rents are based on turnover so it is difficult to justify continuing to collect rents when there is no turnover due to all pubs being closed.
"Pubs are a vital part of Edinburgh’s culture and economy and I would hope that pub companies would lead by example helping to ensure that many of our favourite pubs survive the current crisis and are able to spring back into action once it ends.”
Rodney Taylor, owner of Drury Street Bar & Kitchen in Glasgow, earlier this week warned there is a "kicking time bomb" under the licensed trade - with a number of businesses missing out on emergency funding.
READ MORE: Coronavirus crisis: Glasgow pub trade is ‘ticking time bomb’
CAMRA’s Scotland director, Sarah Crawford, said: “Publicans shouldn’t be being charged rent if they have no turnover because they have to stay closed to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
"Pub company bosses must now do the right thing and cancel rent payments for their tied pub tenants, so our locals can survive this crisis, re-open and thrive in the months and years ahead.”
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