GOOD news has arguably been thin on the ground in the Scottish licensed trade in the last decade.

Ever since the smoking ban was controversially introduced in 2006, the story for traditional pubs has been one of steady decline, certainly in terms of the number of hostelries which line Scotland’s towns and streets.

While there remain a great many skilled operators in the industry, offering fantastic facilities, great food,high quality drinks and fashionable environments, the owners of what might be termed straightforward community bars have found life increasingly tough.

Consumer habits have dramatically changed since smoking was outlawed in pubs in 2006. Many now prefer to spend their leisure time at home or in ever more sophisticated shopping malls instead of the pub.

Throw in the dramatic effect on drinking patterns caused by tighter drink-driving laws, huge hikes in business rates and now faltering consumer confidence, thanks to surging inflation and political uncertainty, then it’s a tough business for those whose stock in trade is selling pints.

The news, then, that the company behind Scotland’s best-selling lager brand is building its market share is perhaps to be welcomed.

It is perhaps too crude an analogy, but the fact Tennent’s is selling more pints in Scotland is arguably a sign that the tills are ringing more sweetly in the country’s pubs.

Of course, it must be noted that C&C itself acknowledges the market in Scotland remains flat. But in a sector where steady decline has been the norm, flat, for many, is surely a more than acceptable result.