BII Photobook

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2018

23 Years of celebratiNg excelleNce iN the Scottish LiceNsed Trade

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2018

Customer Service Award

23 Years of

sed Trade

ottish Licen

ce in the Sc g excellen

celebratin

incorp

orating DRA the M AW ARD S 20 18

2018 Date: 21-08Glasgow ilton Hotel, m Location: H Strictly gla : Black tie / Dress code r 7.30pm Time: 7.00 fo 00 am Carriages: 2. s1 Ticket Admit e orporating th

inc 18 ARDS 20 DRAM AW

GUIDE CALEDONIA INNS

NOMIN A FOR A TE OUR VEN N AW UE www.s cottish A R D barand AT pubaw ards.c

om

CALED ONIA INNS

23 YE ARS

OF CE LEBR

ATING EXCEL

LENCE

GUIDE IN THE SCOTT IS

H LICE NSED

TRADE

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2018

AWARD CATEGORIES 2018

DOG FRIENDLY PUB OF THE YEAR

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

Dog Firendly Pub of the Year is sponsored by Antos. They are hunting for a pub that provides a welcome for pet dogs. Do you know a pub or bar that allow customers to bring their friendly pooches inside? Do they provide a water bowl, and the occasional treat? If so, they could be in the running for this accolade. Judges will be bringing their own dogs on mystery visits (volunteers are queuing up!!)

If you think you know a pub or hotel that fits the bill – enter it now.

Customer service is paramount when it comes to running a successful business. BII Scotland is on the lookout for a pub, restaurant or hotel which fully embraces the customer service ethos. Do you know a business that does this? If so, they could be eligible for this Award.

Judges will look at the measures that are in place to ensure staff are well trained in customer service.

Short listing will be done by Mystery Shoppers and if necessary this will be followed up with a meeting with the judges. If you want to put a nomination in, do so now.

YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR Buzzworks and Flow are partnering to offer one young entrepreneur the opportunity to be mentored by one of the industry’s most experienced and successful individuals over a twelve month period.

Are you successful already, but would hugely benefit from great operational and financial advice, to allow your business to grow to the next level? If so let us know you think you would benefit. All candidates will be interviewed too.

Send your information to susan@ mediaworldltd.com

HOTELSCOTLAND SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD

AWARD FOR SUCCESS

HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR

Social Media is very important when it comes to promoting your business. How well are you doing it? Do you think you are the best in Scotland? What a great way of demonstrating that you are by getting your customers to vote for you – not just in this category!

We’re looking for examples of great content, interaction and results.

Enter now at www. scottishbarandpubawards.com Visit scottishbarandpubawards. com/information-for-bars-pubs/ marketing-materials/ to use on your social media.

Success stories deserve to be recognised and celebrated. Do you know a licensee/proprietor that has grown their business over the past year. . Perhaps they have successfully continued a family company, or expanded, adopted innovation to develop their business, or have grown turnover?

This Year’s Scottish Bar & Pub Award judges would love to know of any hoteliers, restaurateurs or licensees, who fit the bill. Why not put them forward now to www.scottishbarandpubAwards. com.

Hotel Scotland, Scotland’s only dedicated hotel publication, is on the lookout for a great hotel bar.

Great service, a well put together drinks list, and inviting decor could help put you on the map as Scotland’s top hotel bar.

Hotels are the largest segment when it comes to malt whisky value sales accounting for more than 22% of sales and hotels sell five times more champagne than the market average.

Now you know. To enter ths category or to vote for a hotel bar go to www.scottishbarandpubAwards.com.

14

DRAM JUNE 2018

CASUAL DINING AWARD This year we are looking for a restaurant that also boasts a bar, that has created the perfect ambiance and food offering for casual dining, one of the biggest food trends of the moment.

Tasty, good value food, excellent customer service and a relaxed and inviting environment are all crucial. Do you think you know a venue that fits the bill? Why not nominate now.

WINE BY THE GLASS AWARD Do you have a great range of wine by the glass or do you know a bar, pub or restaurant that does? If so it could be eligible for this Award. A choice of wine range and the opportunity to buy it by the glass has a great appeal to the modern consumer. Judges will be looking for staff with good wine knowledge, a range of wine by the glass which offers a good balance of Old and New World wines, and which includes wine that you can drink on its own or with food. Do you, or does your favourite bar or restaurant seek to improve the customer experience by offering a step up in the quality of wine in its wine by the glass range, and has the wine on offer helped to improve the reputation of the outlet? If so enter your favourite wine by the glass venue now.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY & COMMUNITY AWARD

COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR

Diageo is on the look-out for pubs, bars and people that embrace social responsibility and who also put something back into the community.

Do you know a pub or bar that has developed good relationships with local police, community safety partnerships, community groups, licensing boards and/or licensing forums to help minimise alcohol-related crime and disorder? Do they go the extra mile to promote responsible drinking; what do they do differently from other bars in the area? Do they interact with the local community. Let us know and they could be the proud recipients of this Award.

Do you think you know the best cocktail bar in Scotland or do you think you ARE the best Cocktail Bar in Scotland? If so why not enter the Disaronno Cocktail Bar of the Year category? Judges will be looking for a bar with a good ambience and well-trained staff who have a strong customer focus, as well as, the ability of staff to put their own spin on a Disaronno Sour. Expertly made cocktails, a willingness to experiment and a good knowledge of spirits are essential. If you think you fit the bill or you know a bar that does, please enter now telling us why you think so.

NEW BAR OF THE YEAR

BEER BAR OF THE YEAR

Kopparberg is on the lookout for Scotland’s best new bar The Kopparberg team is looking for a bar that has proved to be a success with customers – it doesn’t have to be the most stylish or the biggest, but owners should demonstrate creative forward-thinking and be inclined to think outside of the box when it comes to developing their business. It goes without saying but good customer service and an excellent range of products behind the bar is essential. Do you know a bar that deserves the title? If so put them forward for the accolade now.

Judges will be looking for an outlet with a range of good quality, well maintained beers, and a team who are passionate and knowledgeable about their line up. A passion for beer and the ability to educate their drinkers on all things beer is a must.

A team who aren’t afraid to champion beer with food – anything from a low alcohol lager, to a punchy IPA. If you know a pub that fits the bill, or you are one... vote at www. scottishbarandpubawards.com

DRAM JUNE 2018 15

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2018

Customer Service Award

DRAM DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING

335

@dramscotland

DRAM MAGAZINE ISSN 1470-241X August 2018

/dram.scotland

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2018

SCOTTISH BAR & PUB AWARDS FINALISTS UNVEILED

Customer Service Award 2018

Customer Service Award 2018

Carrig a Blant y n’s re

the 8 orating incorp WARDS 201

Lion & The U Stirling nicorn

MA DRA

No East K 38 ilbride O 11 O

rs

23 Yea

atiNg

lebr of ce

excel

leN

he Sc ce iN t

rade

Nsed T

Lice ottish

CALEDONI A INNS

GUIDE

The O ld M Pitloch ill Inn ry

BENROMACH.COM

DRAM DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING

336

@dramscotland

DRAM MAGAZINE ISSN 1470-241X September 2018

/dram.scotland

FINALISTS THE JUDGES SAID OF THE WINNER

“The competition in this category was fierce and it was neck in neck.

However, after three visits to the Old Mill the judges were in accord. “ They couldn’t fault the service and it was obvious looking around that other customers were having the same experience. First class service, first class establishment.”

Carrigan’s Blantyre

Lion & The Unicorn Stirling

Victoria Maclellan of the Old Mill is presented with the award

by Jo Graham of the BII pictured right.

”

No.38 East Kilbride

FINALISTS

incorporating the

THE JUDGES SAID OF THE WINNER

DRAM AWARDS 2018

gorgeous a wisp of smoke.

A SPEYSIDE SINGLE MALT BEAUTIFULLY BALANCED WITH

“The judges were looking for dynamic and innovative entrepreneurs and the Pop Up Geeks were exactly that. Their idea was quite ingenious and their passion “ was obvious. David & Colin both look forward to mentoring the couple over the next year.”

Jody Buchan & Sam Baxendale Buch+Bax

Colin Blair of Buzzworks with Rachael Carpenter, Linden Wilksinson and David Wither of Flow TM

2018 AWARDS SPECIAL

Ryan Bowman The Alpen Lodge

DRAM SEPTEMBER 2018 23

TESTIMONIALS

“We all had a great night at the awards, and everyone is still talking about it.”

Macky McMahon, The West House, Dundee.

“It was a fantastic night once again… in great company of course.”

Graeme Smith | Director | Smith & Clough Business Associates “Best food that I have had on a gala night out. My chef even said it was the best he had ever had. Fantastic night. Icing on the cake was to win an award.”

Marco Sarao, The Swan Inn, Eaglesham “I really enjoyed the food, the venison was a really nice piece of meat and the pudding, although a bit bizarre, was tasty. In fact the whole night was good. My team really enjoyed it. The Harry and Kathy Hood award was well deserved.”

Ian Cumming, Inverarity Morton, Glasgow “I had a great night. There was a lot of people there to catch up with – it’s funny how many people I know in the trade. The meal was one of the best I have had at a dinner.”

Tom Cullen, Dunns Food and Drinks, Blantyre “It was a cracking night. Well done to you and your team. We all really enjoyed it.”

Brendan McGuinty, Editor Sunday Mail, Glasgow “A great night Susan. Thank you, and brilliantly well done.”

David Wither, Montpeliers, Edinburgh “It really was a good night. We all had a great time and it was also good to be able to catch up with everyone. The awards themselves were brilliant” Michael MacLean, GM, Usquabae Whisky Bar and Larder “The best thing about the Scottish Bar & Pubs awards is seeing the industry come together to celebrate each others success and it is great to see how supportive everyone is of one another. The entertainment is always enjoyable but this year the Strictly theme really helped the overall enjoyment of the night, it worked really well. The food was lovely and served impeccably well. In fact the service on the night was exceptional, and it was nice to be looked after for a change after a busy festival month in Edinburgh. It was a huge delight winning the award on the night and great to see the award for this category make it’s way to Edinburgh. The award is not just for the bar, but also for our customers and suppliers and we wouldn’t be where we are without them.”

Brewhemia?

“Three words – Absolutely amazing event!!”

Graham Sim, Managing Director, Specialized Signs “We had a really great time! Hats off to the entertainment who were far better than expected, and the theme worked really well. The food was really good, and so was the service. It was nice to see so many businesses from Edinburgh in the room, it made for some friendly rivalry from our neighbours. We were ecstatic about winning the Casual Dining Award which is a tribute to the team effort here at Montpeliers. The trophy has pride of place in the bar.”

Lucy Midgley-Smith, Assistant Manager, Montpeliers “Winning the award meant so much to the team. We were delighted to take the trophy back home. This event is done so well. I have been to a lot of award do’s and this is the best awards for our industry. It is well organised, well regarded and these awards mean a lot to the Licensed Trade. The standard of the whole night was excellent. The food was really good, and very impressive considering how many people attended. The host was great, as was the organisation of the whole event.

Personally I preferred last year’s entertainment as I thought the the standard was better last year, but the Strictly theme was still great and very current.”

Victoria Maclellan, Partner, The Old Mill Inn

40

Sunday Mail August 26, 2018

email

reporters@sundaymail.co.uk

web

WE SERVE UP PRIZES TO SCOTLAND’S FINEST WATERING HOLES AT THE SCOTTISH PUB AWARDS COMPETITION

love Giovanna & Max

Singing star Tom tells of baby joy

wIN

Our pub of the year winners are offering you the chance to win a luxury, all-expenses paid dinner for two at The Swan.

Just answer the following question: What do you call a baby swan?

Email your answer to

Nearly half of Brits confess to borrowing their partner’s belongings without telling them.

A study reveals one in 10 men have driven their partner’s car without them knowing and five per cent have logged into their email account.

Meanwhile, 20 per cent of women admit they’ve sneakily used their boyfriend’s razor.

Poo will help?

Bel g ia n scient ist s a re looking for people to donate their poo to help w ith research into illnesses from bowel ailments and allergies to neurological diseases.

PUB OF THE YEAR

cheers Swan Inn workers show off their awards pics Mark Anderson

dinner for two at The Swan reporters@sundaymail.co.uk along with your name, address and phone number. The winner will be picked at random.

The usual terms and conditions apply and the editor’s decision is final.

McFly star Tom Fletcher and his wife Giovanna have spoken of their joy over the birth of their third son.

The 33-year-old musician posted a photo of the newborn on Instagram and wrote: “Our gorgeous son Max Mario Fletcher was born yesterday afternoon.

“We are all totally in love with him and can’t wait to take him home to meet his brothers. We have three boys.”

Blo g ge r a nd a ut hor Giovanna, 33, shared the news on her account.

Next to a photo of her kissing the baby, she wrote: “Welcome to the world Max Mario Fletcher.

“Born yesterday at 3.06pm weighing seven pounds.

“We can’t wait to get home and introduce him to his big brothers, they’re very excited.”

The couple met at school and have been married since May 2012. Fletcher’s McFly bandmates, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd, were his groomsmen.

The couple’s oldest son Buzz was born in March 2014 and their second, Buddy, arrived in February 2016.

They announced in March that Giovanna was pregnant by sharing a video of the family ma k ing a sma ll snowman together, before adorning it with a copy of a baby scan.

It’s all take and no give

Sunday Mail August 26, 2018 41

www.sundaymail.co.uk

top news The Citizen staff celebrate win with editor Brendan, centre

Extra, extra.. big honour for Citizen bar The Citizen in Glasgow was the other big winner at the licensed trade Oscars, scooping the Sunday Mail Pub Spy Award.

We resurrected the celebrated column in November 2016 after a 40-year absence.

The four pubs with the best Pub Spy reviews made the shortlist but it was the city centre boozer which came out on top, impressing the judges with their warm welcome and tasty dishes.

The ornate and classy bar, which resides in the office of the now defunct Evening Citizen paper, has become a popular after-work

meeting place and a sophisticated hideaway for ladies who lunch.

Tony Concetta, of Di Maggios Restaurant Group, who own The Citizen, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award in our first year.”

Event organiser Susan said: “The Citizen impressed the judges. They loved how contemporary and traditional meet in the middle to provide a unique, fun experience.”

Sunday Mail editor Brendan said: “It’s apt to have The Citizen with its newspaper connection win our Pub Spy award. Good news all round.”

ROLL OF HONOUR Antos Dog FrienDly Pub oF the yeAr Winner: The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle Finalists: Saint Lukes, Glasgow; The Stable Bar, Edinburgh; Siberia Vodka Bar, Aberdeen; The Wally Dug, Edinburgh bii Customer serviCe AwArD Winner: The Old Mill, Pitlochry Finalists: John Carrigan’s, Blantyre; Lion & The Unicorn, Stirling; No 38, East Kilbride buzzworks/Flow young entrePreneur oF the yeAr Winner: Rachel Carpenter & Linden Wilkinson, Pop Up Geeks, Edinburgh Finalists: Jody Buchan and Sam Baxendale, Kin; Ryan Bowman, The Alpen Lodge

Winners by a neck

party time Swan staff get mirror from Mail editor Brendan MGinty

Make ours a double.. customers and staff of The Swan celebrate two gongs

The mirror on the wall says it all…

Eaglesham’s Swan Inn has soared to the dizzy heights of being crowned Scotland’s best bar.

The popular village boozer was named Sunday Mail Pub of the Year at this year’s Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.

The charming hostelry scooped the accolade at the glittering Strictly-themed bash at the Glasgow Hilton on Tuesday night.

It marked a double success as they also took the Country Pub category earlier in the evening.

Winning the overall Pub of the Year means the world to sta f f at the 20 0 -yea r-old watering hole, who could not wait to get the iconic Sunday Mail mirror up on the wall.

The cosy Georgian bar sits in the heart of the village and attracts punters from all over

■ Heather Greenaway thanks to its incredible menu, generous measures and welcoming atmosphere.

The Swan Inn has been under new management for 18 months and in that time has picked up five awards but being named Sunday Mail’s “best bar none” has really ruffled their feathers.

Manager Heather Lister said: “We are all still a bit gobsmacked. We were over the moon when we won the Country Pub category but to be named Pub of the Year 2018 is just fantastic.

“We couldn’t wait to get back to Eaglesham and get the mirror up in the bar. It’s been given pride of place.

“The last 18 months have been a wonderful whirlwind. The new owners have transformed The Swan into a bustling bar and restaurant and customers from all over Scotland have been flocking in. It has a new

contemporary and fresh look but its 200-year-old charm is still its best feature.

In The Swan, modern and traditional go hand in hand.

“The dining side of the business is now gastronomical. The food is fresh, local, reasonably priced and delicious. You can have a pint and a fish supper or lobster and champagne.

“But, as with all pubs, it’s the staff who make it great. A warm welcome, a friendly chat and a bit of banter are all on the menu at The Swan Inn both day and night.”

She added: “Being crowned the nation’s best pub is a real honour and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve in the next 18 months. We will be raising a glass to our fantastic supporters tonight.”

The Sunday Mail accolades were just two highlights of a spectacular evening which saw Celtic legend Harry Hood, who runs four pubs in Lanarkshire, honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Sequin-clad

ballroom and Latin dancers and compere Tamsin Littlewood ensured it was a night to remember.

Susan Young, editor of DR A M, the hospitality industry bible who run the event, said: “The awards have been going for 23 years and the standard keeps getting higher and higher. They are a real credit to our hospitality industry.

“The Sunday Mail Pub of the Year, The Swan Inn, has undergone a fantastic transformation. It’s in a great location, offers a warm welcome and the food is first-class.”

Sunday Mail editor Brendan McGinty added: “It was great to see what this accolade meant to the hardworking staff of The Swan.

“Scotland has tremendous pubs, mostly built on the professionalism of the workers from the bottom up. The fact they were all chanting the pub’s name on the stage shows the passion and pride they have in their work.

At their best, places like The Swan can become the heartbeat of villages like Eaglesham.”

CritiCs’ ChoiCe CAsuAl Dining AwArD Winner: Montpeliers, Edinburgh Finalists: Lord of the Isle, Craobh Haven; The Swan Inn, Eaglesham; The West House, Dundee DiAgeo soCiAl resPonsibility AnD Community AwArD Winner: Buzzworks, Prestwick Finalists: Akva, Edinburgh; Driftwood, Glasgow; Manorview, Busby DisAronno CoCktAil bAr oF the yeAr Winner: Sygn, Edinburgh Finalists: Angels Hotel, Uddingston; The Parlour, Glasgow; Tigerlily, Edinburgh sbPA soCiAl meDiA AwArD Winner: John Carrigan’s, Blantyre Finalists: Brewhemia, Edinburgh; Haig’s, Penicuik; The Torfin, Edinburgh gorDon & mACPhAil AwArD For suCCess Winner: The Dowans Hotel, Aberlour Finalists: Meldrum House Country Hotel, Old Meldrum; The George Hotel, Inveraray; Under the Stairs, Edinburgh hotel sCotlAnD hotel bAr oF the yeAr Winner: Black Ivy, Edinburgh Finalists: Dakota Bar & Grill Edinburgh Forth Bridge; Orocco Pier Hotel, South Queensferry; Royal Mackintosh Hotel, Dunbar inverArity morton wine by the glAss AwArD Winner: Kylesku Hotel, Kylesku

Finalists: Vroni’s Wine Bar, Glasgow; Seamill Hydro Hotel, Seamill; La Petite Mort, Edinburgh: Acid Bar SWG3, Glasgow koPPArberg new bAr oF the yeAr Winner: T- Bar, Ayr Finalists: Black Ivy, Edinburgh; Finsbay Flatiron, Glasgow; Church on the Hill, Glasgow; The Citizen, Glasgow molson Coors beer bAr oF the yeAr Winner: Brewhemia, Edinburgh Finalists: The Angels Hotel, Uddingston; The Raeburn, Edinburgh; The Raven, Glasgow Country Pub oF the yeAr Winner: The Swan Inn, Eaglesham Finalists: The Crosskeys, Kippen; The Hillside, Montrose; The Old Mill Inn, Killearn the sunDAy mAil Pub sPy AwArD Winner: The Citizen, Glasgow Finalists: Inn on the Loch, Lanark; Outside Inn, Larbert; Souter’s Inn, Kirkoswald; The Riccarton Inn, Edinburgh mAnAger oF the yeAr Winner: Caroline Wright, Jinty McGuinty’s, Glasgow wee DrAm whisky bAr oF the yeAr Winner: Usquebae Whisky & Larder Bar, Edinburgh Finalists: Ballygrant Inn, Islay; The Black Cat, Edinburgh; The Lochside, Islay wee guiDe best outsiDe AreA Winner: Brel, Glasgow Finalists: Angels Hotel, Uddingston; Forbes of Kingennie, Dundee; Indigo Yard, Edinburgh williAm grAnt & sons bAr APPrentiCe oF the yeAr Winner: Ellie Raeside, Candy Bar, Edinburgh Finalists: Anastasia Mourgela, Hutchesons City Grill, Glasgow; Frank Donnelly, The Raven, Glasgow; Kris Rose, Scotts, Troon; Liam Kemp, Draffens, Dundee; Luke Bryant, Copper Blossom, Edinburgh; Patrycja Olska, Finsbay Flatirons, Glasgow; Richard Jones, The Pear Tree, Edinburgh; Sanni Fiina Jokinen, Pearce’s, Edinburgh; Sarah Nelson, Holyrood 9A, Edinburgh DrAm bAr PersonAlity oF the yeAr Nicola Walker, Driftwood, Glasgow