SOME pubs in Scotland saw “record breaking sales” as fans turned out in droves to watch the men’s national team win its first World Cup match since 1990.
Crowds of fans erupted in celebration after John McGinn’s goal past Haiti's Johny Placide to secure a 1-0 victory in the early hours of Sunday morning.
It comes as pubs and hospitality premises across Scotland are expecting a £7 million windfall from sales as fans turn out to watch the World Cup matches.
And pubs across Scotland certainly saw a boost on Sunday, according to Louise Maclean, director of sales and marketing at Signature Pub Group, which has 23 venues across the country.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday Show, she said the atmosphere in the venues was “incredible”.
“I don't think I've ever been more proud to be Scottish,” she said. “Not only were the team delivering on the pitch, the Tartan Army in Boston, the scenes were incredible.
“And back home, my Lord, did those tills ring. No ejections, I mean, a lot of singing. There'll be a lot of hoarse voices this morning.”
Maclean said the group saw “record breaking sales”, adding: “That is a gift to the trade that has been so damaged over the last five years, but yes the Tartan Army, and everyone in Scotland delivered. We've had people coming flying in from Europe to come to our venues.”
Asked if she expected the same boost across the hospitality sector, Maclean said that the group didn’t open all of their venues later than usual to watch the 2am kick off because “they're not probably more football centric or sports centric”.
“I can't imagine anybody that stayed open will not have an incredible night,” Maclean added.
“And it built up through the day, the previous match everyone stepped up – we had bands on, entertainment, people were in…obviously the free pies, the free pies were very much appreciated by everybody in to watch the match.”
With Scotland’s men's team set to face Morocco on Friday, June 19, with kick off at 11pm, Maclean added that she was confident hospitality venues would see more trade after Scotland won its first match.
“What was remarkable how last minute the Scots left it,” Maclean added.
“I was saying last week that Edinburgh maybe wasn’t as busy as Glasgow, that changed.
“Our venue in Meadow Park in the Bridge of Allan, it was the local venues, the Church on the Hill beside Hampden, they’re the ones that have really really ramped it up, they’re going to have a great month.
“Everyone in the sector is grateful to the Tartan Army and the Scottish Football Team for giving us this gift.”
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association estimated that Scotland’s group games could generate an extra £7m for pubs and bars.
If the team defies the odds and make it to the final, they estimated that could increase to £28m.
The Night Time Industries Association said it is forecasting a “significant boost” for hospitality businesses, with more than 50 million pints expected to be sold in pubs throughout the UK.
Paul Waterson, spokesperson for the Scottish Licensed Trade Association (SLTA), said that while firms were expected to see an upturn in trade, many proprietors were not convinced it would have a significant impact, mostly due to the timings of a lot of the matches.
“Surprisingly, we did a survey of members just after Easter, and only 40 per cent out of a decent sample – about 400 or 500 pubs – said they saw the World Cup being of benefit,” he told the Scotland on Sunday.
“I think that reflects the timing of the games. It’s not only Scotland games people will be wanting to watch but other teams, and some are on at better times than others.
“What I would say is it’s not going to do any harm. You would expect an uptake, because people like to watch the World Cup with people around them, and a lot of pubs have been spending money on the best screens and sound systems.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into it and I think a lot of places will benefit significantly from it. But the times do make it a bit more difficult.”
