Public Diners

Who wants them?

Large group of people assembled together under a large screen — In 2024, 200 people came together to consider the role public diners could play in Scotland. Since then, hundreds have joined the movement. Photo: Harrison Reid

Who are public diners for?

Everyone who eats.

Public control over how public diners work is crucial, and it has already started.

For the past three years, Nourish has been convening a national conversation about public diners. This conversation is about making sure public participation is built into the rollout of public diners.

When would you go to a public diner?

We asked this question during our public consultation sessions conducted across Scotland in 2025 by Nourish Scotland, with participants giving their answers on post-it notes below.

Notes which reads: "When I haven't eaten any veg for a while and I want something nutritious + delicious but can't be bothered to cook!!!"

Notes which reads: "when I had 3 young kids & a job – little time to cook & feeling alone with it"

Notes which reads: 'As an alternative to mid-week take away"

Notes which reads: "During the week after work with my daughter – when you have no idea what to cook & haven't had time to shop! Maybe an afternoon at the weekend too :)"

Notes which reads: "Last night when I felt a bit too weary to cook anything decent."

See all suggestions

Public support

Would you support the introduction of public diners in Scotland?

Public Diners Survey Scotland, conducted by Diffley, Feb 2025

72%

Support public diners

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Would you support the introduction of public diners in Scotland?

Would you support the introduction of public diners in Scotland?

Public consultation

We have been running multiple strands of consultation to further co-design the public diner concept with people across the country.

This includes: co-design sessions, consultation supper events, a touring exhibition, national polling and interviews.

In 2025, we collected this consultation into a report that summarised key points of consensus about how people would like to see public diners rolled out.