The Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA) reported that one in eight pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels have seen a decrease in visits due to weight-loss drugs. Additionally, 22% noticed customers becoming more selective with their spending because of these treatments. The report also highlighted broader economic challenges for the sector, including higher commercial rates and energy charges compared to other parts of the UK, and called for reduced VAT rates and support from both Scottish and UK governments.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Colin Wilkinson, managing director of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), reported that one in eight pubs, bars, restaurants, and hotels surveyed said their business had decreased due to weight-loss drugs. Another 22% noted customers becoming more selective with spending because of these treatments. Despite a brief sales boost from the World Cup, two-thirds of respondents still felt their business was declining overall. The survey also indicated that the Commonwealth Games did not positively impact sales in pubs and bars. However, looking ahead to the rest of 2026, optimism increased: 61% expect growth or stability compared to previous forecasts, with fewer outlets considering closing down. Wilkinson called for Scotland’s First Minister to support a reduction in VAT rates for the hospitality sector, similar to the UK-wide campaign advocating for a cut from 20% to 10%.
Written for “Weight Loss Drugs Impact Businesses” on 2026-09-15,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
The model judged this article politically coded and scored it +0.65, but all 3 of its quote(s) are attributed speech - words the article quotes from someone, not the article's own narration, so the score is not published.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score withheld for article 9628: attributed speech only · logged 2026-09-15
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.
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visits → say → drugs
Another 22% also said their customers had become more “discerning” because of fat-loss treatments.
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customers → say → treatments
The SLTA’s Summer On-Trade Market Insight Report said it was among a number of challenges facing the sector.
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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.
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thirds → survey → Cup
The report found the Commonwealth games “did nothing for sales in pubs and bars”.
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games → find → pubs
Some 71% expect to break even or be profitable – up from 63% in the body’s winter survey.
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% → 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%.
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number → expect → %
Colin Wilkinson, SLTA managing director, said: “The World Cup provided a brief sales boost, but the broader economic outlook remains challenging.
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outlook → say → boost
“Members report weak consumer confidence as global events prolong economic uncertainty.
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events → report → uncertainty
“A new trend has also emerged with 16% of respondents saying visits have declined because of the weight-loss drugs phenomenon.”
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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.
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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.
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profitability → say → strategies
“Both governments have recently stated again that one of their core priorities is growing the economy.
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one → state → economy
Well, the time is now – no more just ‘talk the talk’, it’s time to ‘walk the walk’.”
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it → talk → walk
He called on the UK Government to copy Ireland and reduce VAT for hospitality firms in the UK.
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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.
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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.
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We → ask → sector
Some 97% of businesses surveyed reported an increase in costs, with 57% saying costs had increased significantly above inflation.
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costs → survey → inflation
There is concern about the future talent pipeline and calls for more support for apprenticeship schemes, the SLTA said.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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that → say → system
The spokesperson also said the Scottish Government has commissioned an independent review of the valuation methodology for licensed hospitality properties.
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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.
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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.”
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decisions → set → Budget
The Aporia
