THE owners of a Dunfermline pub say its future – and that of around 50 sister venues around Scotland – is not at risk despite fears raised by the GMB Union.

The GMB union has expressed its concerns after Stonegate pubs – who own the East Port pub – put out a profits warning.

The union says the news mean dozens of pubs are in "serious danger" of pulling their last pint, but the firm have moved to make reassurances to employees and partners.

A Stonegate spokesperson said: “We are really pleased with the performance of the business in 2023, which included a sector-leading Christmas trading period.

"We have delivered a rise in revenue and a significant increase in profitability.

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"We have been very clear that we continue to work towards achieving our long-term balance sheet goals, with the successful refinancing of a portion of our estate in December marking a significant strategic step towards this.

"We would also like to assure our employees and partners that no venues are at risk as a result of this process.

“TDR Capital has been and continues to be a supportive investor in Stonegate, developing the business over the last 14 years into the UK’s largest pub company with 4,500 great venues across the country.”

The GMB said that despite private equity owner TDR’s assurances to a parliamentary select committee in January, Stonegate say that there is no guarantee it can continue as a going concern, as it struggles to refinance a £2.2bn debt mountain.

The union has written to Lian Byrne MP, chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, asking him to recall TDR bosses in light of the profit warning.

Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: "TDR bosses are private equity gamblers – playing fast and loose with people’s jobs and lives.

“When their risky ventures go wrong, they swan off to their next project, leaving workers and communities to pick up the pieces.

“Now, dozens of much loved pubs across Scotland are in serious danger of pulling their last pint. It’s a disgrace.”