Closure of The Original Louden Tavern and Protecting Scotland's Pubs

That the Parliament notes with regret the closure of "The Original Louden Tavern" on Duke Street in Glasgow’s east end; recognises the establishment’s longstanding place in the community and its particular significance to generations of Rangers F.C. supporters, having served as a meeting place for supporters before and after matches, a venue for social occasions and a familiar part of the East End; further recognises the contribution made by independent and traditional pubs to Scotland’s hospitality sector, local economies and community life; notes reports that declining trade and rising energy costs and business rates contributed to the decision to close; believes that the closure of a longstanding local institution should serve as a warning regarding the mounting pressures facing Scotland’s traditional pubs and hospitality businesses; condemns the failure of successive SNP administrations to create an environment in which small businesses, public houses and community institutions can thrive; believes that Scotland’s traditional pub culture forms an important part of Scotland's social fabric and should not be sacrificed through excessive taxation, regulation and rising operating costs, and calls on the Scottish Government to take urgent action to support Scotland’s hospitality sector, reduce the burden placed upon small businesses and ensure that communities do not continue to lose valued local institutions.