Brewing and hospitality company Greene King has begun seeking a new operator for the historic Crown Inn, one of Biggar’s best-known pubs.
The announcement follows the closure of the pub on 7 October, ten days earlier.
In a Facebook announcement on 17 October, Greene King Pub Partners described the Crown as a well-established dining destination with a strong local following, inviting experienced publicans, couples and family teams to take on the business.
The company is forecasting annual turnover of £977,787 and an operator profit of £75,078.
The Crown is being marketed with approximately 100 dining places, a traditional front bar, commercial kitchen and private living accommodation.
Greene King is looking for someone capable of building on the pub’s existing reputation, attracting both local customers and visitors from across the region.
The company said:
“Could you be the operator to bring a much-loved destination pub back to life?”
A substantial investment
Prospective operators will need to make a significant financial commitment.
Greene King is advertising the property with annual rent of £75,000, equivalent to approximately £1,442 per week, and estimated initial entry costs of £46,250.
These entry costs include a £18,750 deposit, £20,000 in working capital and an initial contribution towards fixtures and fittings.
The pub is being offered under a fixed three-year Scottish tenancy agreement with a full supply tie, meaning the operator would be required to purchase specified drinks through Greene King’s supply arrangements.
The pub includes two bedrooms, a lounge, kitchen, bathroom and two offices.
Centuries of history on Biggar High Street
The Crown Inn has been part of Biggar’s hospitality landscape for centuries.
According to the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the inn officially dates from the mid-17th century, giving it approximately 370 years of history.
Situated at 109–111 High Street, the building has long been a familiar feature of the town centre, with a traditional bar, dining areas, conservatory and beer garden.
Its potential reopening would offer more than the return of a place to eat and drink.
A successful business could provide employment and attract additional visitors to Biggar.
Biggar’s attractions include the museum, historic gasworks, independent shops and cultural events.
A challenging time for Scotland’s pubs
The search for a new operator comes against a difficult background for Scotland’s licensed trade.
Figures published by the Scottish Beer and Pub Association in January 2026 suggest that 293 pubs have closed permanently in Scotland since 2021, equivalent to 6.4% of the country’s pubs.
That compares with a reported closure rate of 4.1% in England over the same period.
The association estimates that Scotland’s beer and pub industry supports approximately 65,000 jobs and contributes £2.3 billion annually to the Scottish economy.
Recent figures, however, do indicate some positive trends for prospective publicans.
In August, Greene King Pub Partners reported that applications to run its pubs had increased by 26% during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period the previous year.
The company received 1,449 applications, with more than half coming from people seeking to operate their first pub. It also reported an occupancy rate of 97% across its leased, tenanted and franchise estate.
Meanwhile, qualifying hospitality businesses in Scotland can benefit from a 40% reduction in non-domestic rates under a Scottish Government relief scheme introduced in April 2026.
The relief is available to eligible licensed hospitality premises with a rateable value of £100,000 or less and is scheduled to continue until March 2029. Whether the Crown qualifies has not yet been established.
A new chapter for the Crown?
For Biggar, the immediate question is whether Greene King can find an operator willing to take on the challenge of reopening one of the town’s oldest hospitality businesses.
The company is seeking applicants with experience of food-led hospitality and an ambition to develop both local and visitor trade.
With the premises actively being marketed and a potential business model already outlined, the Crown’s closure need not necessarily mark the end of its centuries-long history.
There is currently no confirmed reopening date, and any return to trading will depend on securing a suitable operator.
For now, however, Greene King’s search offers the prospect of a new chapter for a much-loved Biggar landmark.
Anyone interested in the opportunity can find further information through the Greene King Pub Partners website.