Heriot-Watt University brewing centre projected to add £53.4m to Scottish economy

Heriot-Watt University’s proposed Centre for Advanced Brewing and Distilling (CABD) is projected to contribute £53.4 million annually to the Scottish economy. An independent analysis by BiGGAR Economics suggests that over a decade, the facility could generate a total gross value added (GVA) of £324.8 million per year and support approximately 1,570 jobs.

The university is currently seeking £35 million to construct the centre, aiming to secure £25.3 million from the drinks industry and £9.7 million in government funding. The CABD would expand upon the existing International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD), which contributed £240.1 million in GVA and supported 1,180 jobs during the 2024/25 period.

The facility is designed to provide ‘plug-and-play’ equipment for businesses to trial production methods, alongside advanced research labs focused on low-carbon technologies, raw materials, product quality, and sensory analysis. The project also aims to support innovation in carbon capture and the integration of renewable energies within the brewing and distilling supply chains.