BiGGAR’s Economic Impact Assessment delivers an analysis of the possible economic benefits of a new centre at Heriot-Watt. 

BiGGAR estimated that within a decade, the CABD could be generating a total economic impact of £324.8m Gross Value Added (GVA) per year for Scotland. 

For the purpose of building the new CABD, the university is looking to get £25.3m from industry as well as £9.7m in public investment. 

For the second figure, BiGGAR’s assessment states the CABD could provide £20.80 of economic benefit for every £1 of public funding invested.

The alcohol sector employs 60,000 people, amounting to 2.4% of all jobs in Scotland, 14,000 or 71% of the UK’s distilling jobs. 

The assessment states that the university’s International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD)’s capacity to sustain its current level of success is under threat and a new CABD would help sustain and develop Scotland’s brewing and distilling sectors. 

BiGGAR has stated how the CABD could drive innovation, solidify ‘workforce readiness’ and address future industry competitiveness through:

• Housing new plug-and-play brewing and distilling equipment and advanced research labs to fosterlow-carbon technologies
• Supporting new distillation techniques and delivering an entrepreneurial hub to support enterprise 
• Providing the latest, most advanced brewing and distilling equipment, as well as a raw materials laboratory and product quality and innovation laboratory
• Providing a sensory suite, as well as carbon capture and renewable energy integration.

But the report has said that if the money is not raised to build the CABD, it will become increasingly challenging for the ICBD to support the sector sufficiently as facilities become less equipped to meet student and industry demand. 

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. This report confirms what we have long believed.”

Turney added: “This assessment shows what our people already achieve. 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 £79.4 million to the Scottish economy and supported the creation of 520 jobs.”

Ewan Andrew, Diageo’s president Global Supply Chain & Procurement and chief sustainability officer and co-chair of Heriot-Watt’s CABD fundraising committee, said: “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.”

Shona Glenn, director at BiGGAR Economics, said: “The ICBD has played a critical role in sustaining Scotland’s brewing and distilling sector for nearly 40 years by providing a pipeline of talent and [a] steady stream of innovative new enterprises. 

“However, the Centre’s facilities and equipment are no longer fit for purpose, and a lack of investment is increasingly hampering its ability to ensure the future success of the sector.”

Glenn added: “The new facility could enable a substantial uplift in research and innovation activity and ensure the talent pipeline needed to champion the future success of the industry can be maintained.”