BUZZWORKS Holdings pushed up pre-tax profits by 9.2 per cent last year and the Ayrshire hospitality group has pledged to continue its expansion throughout Scotland, hitting out at publicans who blame falling sales on stricter drink driving laws.

Its first venue in the east of the country is set to open in South Queensferry this summer, and managing director Kenny Blair said further openings outside its Ayrshire heartlands would follow.

Buzzworks, which currently operates ten venues, saw revenue for the year to April 2017 leap by 15.6 per cent to £14.8m with pre-tax profit coming in at £694,248.

Kevin Scott: pub firm's model highlights how much bars have changed

Mr Blair said there had been a “bit of an impact” from changes to drink driving laws, which has seen consumers refrain from having a drink with a meal. But he said it was “just another challenge”, adding: “A lot of people hide behind these things, say it’s this or that. Actually what’s wrong is that you’re not investing, you’re not innovating, you’re not working hard enough,” he said.

The financial year saw a £500,000 refurbishment of its flagship restaurant, Scotts in Troon. Since the year ended, the company opened Coach House in Bridge of Weir and refurbished Treehouse in Ayr.

“Last year was an exciting time for Buzzworks Holdings however we are constantly looking forward and our focus is now on how to make 2018 even more of a success as we expand into the east coast and beyond,” said Mr Blair.

He said the company, established in 1978 by Mr Wilson’s parents Stanley and Esther, was moving forward with “cautious optimism”.

Kevin Scott: pub firm's model highlights how much bars have changed

The South Queensferry venue, which will carry the Scotts name, was originally slated to open in December but the complexities of the renovations has pushed this back to summer. And Mr Blair said it would likely not be the only opening this year.

“We’re currently negotiating on two opportunities, which are both in the east [of the country],” he said. “There are certainly plenty of opportunities that we see. There are a number of towns around Scotland which are poorly served with hospitality facilities.”

Buzzworks has made its name by offering city centre quality in provincial towns. Mr Blair said that Ayrshire and South Ayrshire were now among the best parts of the country outside the major cities for such offerings, with all of the company’s bar restaurants in the south west of Scotland.

“We’re doing a good job of getting to grips with the challenges out there, and changing our business to suit,” he said. “And we’re reinvesting our profits to change our current estate as well as opening new venues.”

Over the business, almost two-thirds of sales come through food rather than traditional wet sales.

Kevin Scott: pub firm's model highlights how much bars have changed

Of the challenges facing the industry, Mr Blair said: “Apart from the economic backdrop or the lack of clarity and stability that exists for consumers, there is the depreciation of the pound which has led to increases in the cost of good, especially food and there’s the raising of the national living wage and business rates.”

But Mr Blair said for Buzzworks the glass is very much half full. “You hear a lot of doom and gloom, but we see opportunities.”