The industry as a whole has changed radically during the last couple of decades, with a wide range of social, economic and regulatory pressures all contributing to a 23% fall in pub numbers between 2005 and 2015.

Increased competition from cafés and restaurants, improved home entertainment, individuals switching their alcohol consumption towards supermarket sources and drinking at home have all played their part in a 30% fall in on-trade sales.

All is not lost, however, and having recently launched www.FindMyPub.scot we know that there is demand for more owners and tenants to come forward and boost a sector that clearly has scope to change and grow for the better.

From research, we know that IFT pubs will often outperform other pub models because owners can almost always gain a competitive price for bought-in products.

For tenanted pubs, flexibility is the main benefit for those wanting to become landlords, as well as the opportunity to gain significant competitive advantage by introducing a greater range of non-alcoholic speciality drinks, adding a wider variety of both teas and coffees and even bringing in locally-made cakes and pastries – the areas where there is market growth and demand.

We’re certainly at a turning point for the pub sector across Scotland and one where I believe that there is huge opportunity for growth, especially for forward-thinking owners and tenants.