THE owners of a popular Arrochar pub have denied claims from a trade union that its future, and that of almost 50 sister venues across Scotland, is at risk.

The Village Inn is one of almost 50 Scottish venues owned by the UK's biggest pub operator, Stonegate.

The GMB union claimed the affected pubs were in "serious danger of pulling their last pint" an account filing raised a "material uncertainty...that may cast significant doubt on the company and group’s ability to continue as a going concern".

The Tullie Inn in Balloch is also on the at-risk list issued by the GMB, along with venues from Aberdeenshire to South Lanarkshire.

Union bosses said they had "predicted" earlier this year that despite assurances by private equity owner TDR Capital to a parliamentary select committee, Stonegate was struggling to refinance £2.2 billion in debt.

Stonegate Pub Company is domiciled in the Cayman Islands. TDR also owns Asda.

Stonegate has more than 4,500 pubs and 10,000 workers across the UK such as the Slug and Lettuce, Yates and Walkabout.

They stated in an account filing: "There is an indication that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the company and group’s ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern assessment period."

They added that the chain “may be unable to realise their assets and discharge their liabilities in the normal course of business”.

GMB officials said they have written to Liam Byrne MP, chair of the business and trade select committee at the House of Commons, asking them to recall TDR bosses after what the union described as a "profit warning".

Only on Wednesday, the Village Inn posted on Facebook about recruiting extra staff for the summer months.

The pub has been approached for comment.

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.”

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.

"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.”