Craft players still waiting for clarity on Brexit

ANALYSIS IT has been an encouraging week of news for the Scotch whisky industry, at least at the craft end of the market.

In Edinburgh, the company which has revived the historic John Crabbie brand unveiled plans for a £7 million distillery in Leith, while in the Hebrides proposals were revealed to build the first distiller on South Uist since 1844.

Now the Glasgow Distillery Company has signalled its intent by raising £6m to build on the momentum it has built since opening in 2014.

With plans for three new distilleries in Edinburgh, one more in Glasgow and others elsewhere in the country there is clearly considerable confidence in the industry’s future. But the threat posed by Brexit must not be overlooked. Though many experienced distillers back the industry to overcome the challenges which may arise, concern is growing over the practical implications.

Glasgow Distillery Company director Ian Mcdougall said the lack of clarity over future trading arrangements is especially acute for small distillers, which cannot call on the international networks the corporate giants enjoy. But his concerns will be felt at all levels of the industry.

“It’s fine saying plan for the future, but we don’t know what to plan for,” he said.

“We really need clarity quickly on where this is going. If tariffs are going to be payable, what levels are they going to be? How are we going to move our goods? All these things are getting closer and closer and there doesn’t seem to be any answers to them.”

As Brexit moves ever closer, the silence from the UK Government is worryingly deafening.