A proposed \u00a335m Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling at Heriot-Watt University could generate an additional \u00a353.4m a year for the Scottish economy, according to a BiGGAR Economics report.<\/p>\n
The assessment estimates the centre could deliver a total economic impact of \u00a3324.8m Gross Value Added per year for Scotland and support 1,570 jobs within 10 years.<\/p>\n
It would replace Heriot-Watt’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling, which has supported the sector for nearly 40 years.<\/p>\n
In 2024 to 2025 alone, the existing centre generated \u00a3240.1m GVA for the Scottish economy and supported 1,180 jobs.<\/p>\n
Professor Chris Turney, deputy principal of research and innovation at Heriot-Watt University, said: “BiGGAR Economics’ independent assessment provides a huge vote of confidence in our vision for a new Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling. To be located right next to the National Robotarium, the new centre will deliver real, tangible benefits for brewing and distilling and the wider supply chain that depends on them.<\/p>\n
“Graduates of our International Centre for Brewing and Distilling have founded nearly 30 of Scotland’s active brewing and distilling businesses. In 2024 to 2025 alone, those businesses added an estimated \u00a379.4m to the Scottish economy and supported the creation of 520 jobs.”<\/p>\n
Heriot-Watt is seeking to unlock \u00a325.3m from industry and \u00a39.7m in public investment to build the centre.<\/p>\n
BiGGAR’s assessment states the centre could deliver \u00a320.80 of economic benefit for every \u00a31 of public funding invested.<\/p>\n
The alcohol sector employs 60,000 people in Scotland, representing 2.4% of all jobs, with 14,000 or 71% of the UK’s distilling jobs.<\/p>\n
The new centre would house plug-and-play brewing and distilling equipment to enable businesses to trial new production methods, advanced research labs to develop low-carbon technologies, and a dedicated entrepreneurial hub.<\/p>\n
The brewing and distilling sectors have committed to reach net zero by 2040, and the centre would support research into tackling emissions and water usage.<\/p>\n
Ewan Andrew, Diageo’s president global supply chain and procurement and chief sustainability officer and co-chair of Heriot-Watt’s fundraising committee, added: “What this economic impact assessment demonstrates is the potential value to Scotland and the UK that Heriot-Watt University can deliver with a commitment from government to back this new world-class facility.”<\/p>\n
The assessment warns that without investment, it will become increasingly difficult for the existing centre to support the sector effectively as facilities become less able to meet student and industry demand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
University seeks \u00a335m to build replacement facility<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":8130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[120782,1,7,78],"coauthors":[160],"class_list":["post-8128","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy","category-latest-news","category-manufacturing","category-sponsored","tag-edinburgh-lothians","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n