Scotland’s Swedish-inspired ‘Goth’ pubs putting charity first

The pub now benefits massively from food sales, and the customers are “well aware” their cash comes back to the community.

“They’re aware that part of the pound goes back to supporting organisations within Newtongrange,” Mr O’Connor says.

In the last year, The Dean Tavern has given thousands of pounds to the likes of the local Accordion and Fiddle Club, the Girls’ Brigade, and various local sports teams.

They’ve even expanded to accommodating Tai Chi lessons in their hall.

As well as ensuring the pub gives back to the community, maintaining a business is what motivates Mr O’Connor.

“It has to be run as a business making sure we retain profits for the upkeep of the building and also to be distributed to the local community,” he says.

For all Scotland’s remaining Goth pubs, they face the same challenges as any other licensed premises – with the added duty of balancing important social history and modernisation.