Aye, it’s a sad day when you hear about another pub company folding. The news that The Riddrie Pub Company Limited, associated with the Princess Bar in Glasgow, has gone into voluntary liquidation just hits a bit different, doesn’t it? It’s not just a business closing its doors, it feels like another wee piece of our local fabric is unravelling.
I’ve seen it happen too many times, mind you. You walk past a place that’s been a fixture for generations, where folk have shared laughs and tears, and suddenly there’s a ‘To Let’ sign or, worse, it’s just boarded up. The company agreed to wind itself up, which sounds awfully civilised for what is, at its heart, a proper loss for the community.
Dean Smith of Revolution RTI Limited has been appointed as liquidator, and I’m sure he’ll do his job by the book. But for the regulars, for anyone who’s ever popped in for a quick half or a blether, it’s a stark reminder of the growing pressures on our hospitality industry. It’s not just the big city centre places, it’s these local gems, the heart of their communities, that are struggling.
You see the statistics, don’t you? The most recent figures showed there were 74 company insolvencies registered in Scotland in January 2026, with 42 of those being creditors’ voluntary liquidations. These aren’t just abstract numbers, they represent real businesses, real livelihoods, and real places where folk come together. It’s a worrying trend, and one that hits close to home for many of us.
Our pubs are more than just places to grab a pint. They’re the social glue, the places where you catch up with neighbours, celebrate a birthday, or even just escape the dreich weather for an hour. They’re a vital part of what makes a Scottish community tick. Losing them isn’t just an economic blow, it’s a cultural one too.
I often wonder what our politicians are doing about this. It feels like there’s always a new crisis, but the everyday struggle of our local businesses sometimes gets lost in the noise. You can read about the wider challenges facing Holyrood in Scottish Politics: Power, Policy, and the Path Forward, but these policies have real-world consequences for places like the Princess Bar.
The cost of living crisis, soaring energy bills, rising supply costs, and changing consumer habits are all hammering the sector. People just don’t have the same disposable income they once did. When Local Councils Are Running Out of Money, it trickles down, affecting everything from business rates to local support initiatives. It’s a vicious circle, and our beloved locals are often the ones caught in the middle.
I’m not saying there’s an easy answer, because there rarely is in these situations. But I do think we need to properly appreciate what we’re losing when these places close. It’s not just the jobs, though those are important, it’s the erosion of community spirit, the loss of those informal meeting places that bind us together.
We need strong support for our hospitality sector, not just platitudes. The Scottish Government has various initiatives, and you can often find more details on their economic development policies, but are they cutting through? Are they making a real difference on the ground for the wee pub trying to keep its head above water?
It’s easy to feel a bit helpless when you hear news like this. But perhaps it’s also a call to action for us all. Support your local pub, your local café, your local shop. Because once they’re gone, they’re often gone for good, and the character of our towns and cities changes forever. Let’s not let another piece of Scotland slip away without a fight.
Source Reference: Glasgow Times, “Liquidators appointed to Glasgow pub operator”
