Berlinkys boss flags key issues ahead of The Herald Budget Briefing

The event is sponsored by Virgin Money, Berlinkys and s1jobs.

What are the main challenges facing your business?

The biggest challenge right now is the sheer cost of running a late-night entertainment venue compared to what customers can realistically afford to spend. Wage increases are a major factor. When the minimum wage rises year after year, it has a direct and immediate impact on us. A late-night venue isn’t just bartenders; it’s security, floor staff, tech crews, cleaners, performers, managers - and most of that staffing is concentrated into high-intensity weekend hours. Even small changes in hourly rates multiply quickly across a full rota.

At the same time, customers are still cautious. A night out is discretionary spend. We can’t simply pass rising costs on through higher drink prices or ticket prices without risking footfall. So we’re constantly balancing quality, experience and value while absorbing increasing operating costs.

Business rates are another real pressure point. For city-centre venues, rates can feel disproportionate to the reality of modern trading conditions. Footfall patterns have changed permanently since the pandemic, but cost structures haven’t adapted at the same pace. On top of that, late-night venues carry additional operational responsibilities - security, stewarding, compliance, licensing, insurance - all essential, but all adding to the overall burden. We are proud of the experience we deliver, but it’s an expensive model to run.

What would be the biggest things the UK Government and/or Scottish Government could do to help your business?

For me, it comes down to recognising hospitality - and particularly late-night hospitality - as a serious economic contributor that needs a supportive framework to thrive. A more realistic and competitive business rates system in Scotland would make a huge difference. City-centre entertainment venues bring life, jobs, tourism and cultural value, but the cost base doesn’t always reflect that contribution.

There also needs to be more consideration of the cumulative impact of wage policy on hospitality businesses. Again, we support fair pay - but increases need to be balanced with policies that help businesses absorb them. Otherwise, it becomes unsustainable over time. Practical support for the night-time economy would also go a long way. Late-night transport, coordinated city-centre management, and a licensing environment that supports responsible operators are all areas where government decisions directly affect our ability to trade successfully.

Hospitality doesn’t just create jobs - it creates atmosphere, tourism appeal and vibrancy. When it thrives, the city thrives.

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What is your view on late-night transport provision in the context of Glasgow’s night-time economy?

Late-night transport is one of the most important - and often overlooked - pieces of the puzzle. When customers don’t feel confident about how they’re getting home, they leave earlier. When staff struggle to get home safely and affordably after a 3am finish, it affects recruitment and retention. Glasgow’s public transport network isn’t currently designed around a modern night-time economy. The Subway doesn’t operate late into the night, and while there are some night bus services, coverage and frequency aren’t always consistent enough to give people confidence. If we had reliable, visible late-night transport infrastructure, we would see customers staying longer, spending more, and dispersing more smoothly at closing time. It would improve safety, reduce congestion and support the entire city-centre ecosystem - not just venues like ours.

For a city with Glasgow’s nightlife reputation, late-night connectivity should match that ambition.

Do you expect a boost from the Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow?

Yes, I do. Major events like the Commonwealth Games bring energy, visitors and global attention. We expect increased footfall, private bookings, and higher overall demand during that period. Glasgow has a reputation for being welcoming and lively, and we want to be part of delivering that experience. The scale of the boost will depend on how well the city coordinates transport, safety and promotion. But there’s definitely potential, and we’re preparing for it.

Will the Scottish national football team’s participation in the World Cup this summer provide a boost to your trading?

When Scotland qualifies for a major tournament, it creates a national moment. People want to gather, celebrate, and share that experience. That translates into earlier nights, group bookings, post-match parties and extended trading. Even if matches fall midweek, tournaments create “occasion” nights that don’t normally exist. For us, it’s about turning those moments into full experiences - people coming in for the match atmosphere and staying for the music, performances and late-night energy. Sport has a powerful impact on hospitality, and when Scotland is involved, that impact is amplified.