DRAM Scotland October 371

DRAM

371

DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING

DRAM MAGAZINE October 2021 ISSN 1470-241X

@dramscotland

incorporating the DRAM AWARDS 2021

ALL OUR AWARD WINNERS 2021

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DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING

WELCOME

W

elcome to our award winners issue.

I’m sure you agree that our Scottish Bar & Pub Awards at The Glasgow Hilton was one of the best and what a terrific after-party at The Radisson Red – a huge congratulations to the teams at both hotels for doing such a fantastic job.

Have a peek at all the winners and browse through pictures from the night starting on page 17.

I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew McQuade, licensee at Lithgows in Greenock and The Cabin in Clydebank, for a chat that you can read on page 12.

He turned Lithgows around, and it reached the finals in the Kopparberg New Bar of the Year category at the awards.

This issue we take a break from our profiles on Scotland’s best Reps but it will be back next month.

Meanwhile I took a look at what’s happening in the beer category, including the dreaded supply and gas issues that are hitting some of you hard, on page 9.

Billy Milligan’s new venture, Charlie’s Loft in Milngavie, gets our design verdict on page 40.

October

2021

FEATURES

09

RIGHT BEER RIGHT NOW

Jason Caddy reports.

12 17 40

LICENSEE INTERVIEW

Jason Caddy talks to Andrew McQuade.

SCOTTISH BAR & PUB AWARDS

All the winners plus pictures from the night.

DESIGN FOCUS

The newly opened Charlie’s Loft in Milngavie.

REGULARS

Until next month.

Jason Caddy, Editor jason@mediaworldltd.com dramscotland.co.uk

@dramscotland

CONTENTS

/dram.scotland

4 6 46

NEWS

All the news on pubs, bars, restaurants and hotels.

BRAND NEWS

All the latest brand news.

SUE SAYS

Straight talking from our very own Publisher.

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 3

CHEF AIMS TO REVIVE THE KIRKHOUSE INN Chef Brian Home, who has worked under the helm of Andrew Fairlie and Michael Roux, has taken over the Kirkhouse Inn in Strathblane.

Dating back to 1601, it features 15 bedrooms as well as the newly refurbished Wild Thyme Lounge, the 1601 bar and a landscaped beer garden. Interior design specialist, John Amabile is currently creating a new fine dining restaurant, The Finnich, which will open next month.

Said Brian, “The Kirkhouse has been welcoming guests for hundreds of years but latterly, for many reasons, it had become neglected.

“When we saw its spectacular location and the busy thoroughfare right on its door-step it was easy to see the potential it offered.

We have big plans and have already invested around £100,000 in changes which customers can already see the benefits of and have overhauled the menus to ensure they are far more appealing.”

VAULT PARTNERS WITH KING TUT’S Edinburgh-based Vault City Brewing is opening its own 250-capacity live music venue next year at its Portobello brewery, and it has just forged a new partnership with King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow.

Vault City moved into its own purpose-built brewery in Portobello, Edinburgh, last year.

Co-founder Steven Smith Hay told DRAM, “Partnering with a venue as iconic as King Tut’s is a dream come true. Hopefully our new Taproom venue will have its own part to play in musical history!”

James Mellin, of King Tut’s and DF Concerts, added, “We are both aligned in the fact that we want to see the hottest new musical talent across Scotland and beyond shine.”

First Scottish site for The Alchemist, owned by Palatine Private Equity, is set to open its first-ever £1.5m Scottish bar and restaurant in Edinburgh’s new St. James Quarter at the end of October.

It’s a 6,091sq ft,170-cover space that’s accessed via a lobby featuring star sign projections before an ‘immersive elevator experience’ transports customers to the fourth floor.

Said brand director, Jenny McPhee, “From ancient alchemists to modern mystics, Edinburgh’s association with alchemy spans thousands of years and the city has long been described as a hotbed for spirituality.”

OCCIDENTAL RE-OPENS Licensee Ronnie Bissell has re-opened his Dundee bar Occidental after seven weeks with a brand new cellar and new fixtures and fittings following a flash flood.

Ronnie told DRAM, “I’m relieved to be open again after the flood in July when over two months worth of rain fell in two hours. The cellar and all its contents were deemed contaminated so we had to have a completely new cellar and even the unopened kegs were spoiled.

“I also put in new carpets, chairs, tables, and stools, while some of the regulars all mucked in to give the pub a lick of paint.”

GORDON RAMSAY SECURES FORMER DRAKE & MORGAN SITE IN EDINBURGH Chef Gordon Ramsay will open his first Bread Street Kitchen concept outside of London in the former Drake & Morgan site on Edinburgh’s St Andrews Square later this year.

Bread Street Kitchen will occupy 3,728 square feet on the ground floor and a further 3,357 square feet on the first floor. Bread Street Kitchen currently operates from four locations across London.

Said Andy Wenlock, chief executive Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, “We have taken our time to look for the perfect location for our first Bread Street Kitchen & Bar outside of London, and we are delighted with the site we have chosen in Edinburgh.

“Such a vibrant city with a cool food scene, it really feels like the perfect match for Bread Street Kitchen & Bar. All the team are looking forward to bringing this popular all day dining concept to our new neighbourhood guests later this year.”

The concept offers ‘sophisticated, yet approachable all day dining’, inspired by classic Ramsay dishes.

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NEWS THE BON VIVANT GROUP TO DEBUT LUCKENBOOTHS

The Alchemist KNOYDART COMMUNITY GETS BUYOUT UNDERWAY The Old Forge Community Benefit Society Ltd, a group set up to take forward a community ownership bid of The Old Forge on the Knoydart peninsula, has smashed its first fundraising appeal target in record time. The group set out to raise a minimum of £204,500 through a community share offer, and the target was met and exceeded in only seven days of the month-long campaign, and continues to secure more investors.

The share offer will remain open and the Society is now aiming to reach their maximum target of £240,000.

Stephanie Harris, secretary of the Society says, “We really hope to continue edging closer to our maximum target of £240k.

The more we raise, the more security we have in our overall fundraising plan, and the more we can achieve once the pub is secured for the community.”

VIVA ITALIA GET SET TO EXPAND Glasgow’s Viva Italia Group has submitted plans to Glasgow City Council to convert the former Zizzi at 31 Royal Exchange Square, which includes a historic A-listed building in the central square, into a 232-capacity restaurant.

Viva Italia operates Toni Macaroni and Mozza in Glasgow and Nardini’s in Largs.

The proposed new venue will have space for 156 diners, with an expanded upper mezzanine set to provide space for a further 76 seats.

The application states the intention to ‘reopen former Zizzi restaurant in Royal Exchange Square as a new Italian restaurant, creating some addition customer space with formation of a small mezzanine floor above existing kitchen/server area.’

Have you heard?

Pub and darts concept Flight Club, owned by Red Engine, is to make its Scottish debut next year when it opens at 280 George Street in Glasgow.

The Bon Vivant Group will open a new 140 cover all-day dining restaurant and bar called Luckenbooths at 329 High Street, Edinburgh on 11th October.

It will mark the eighth business for The Bon Vivant Group, whose director is Anthony Hester and it takes its name from the timber fronted tenement buildings which existed across the street from us from 1440 until around 1817 including ground level lockable booths (or Luckenbooths). Its Edinburgh portfolio includes Lady Libertine, The Devil’s Advocate, The Bon Vivant and Mexican restaurant chain, El Cartel, which recently launched a third venue in the Old Town, El Cartel Roxburgh.

The Bon Vivant’s former head chef, Emma Clark-Szabo, will run the kitchen at Luckenbooths.

The Botanist eyes Scottish debut The New World Trading Company (NWTC) is looking to make its Scottish debut by opening its The Botanist brand at the proposed St Andrew’s Hall conversion next to Edinburgh’s St James centre.

Developers intend to create a new pub and restaurant at St Andrew’s Hall, and The City of Edinburgh Council validated the proposal from developers Nuveen Real Estate earlier last month and a final decision is expected soon. The Botanist is in 22 cities across England and Wales.

BRIEFS Owners of an Aberdeen street food firm, brothers Marcello and Marcos Sasso together with business partner Tommy Houghton, will transform the upper level of their premises on Upperkirkgate in Aberdeen into a new restaurant space called The Pigs Wings, and the ground floor into a bar in the coming months.

They have owned both levels in the building since starting the business.

Falkirk Council’s licensing board has agreed that Falkirk’s The Union Inn can double the size of its beer garden and is now seeking planning permission. The pub, which sits beside the Forth & Clyde canal, has recently been refurbished.

The wife and daughter of Glasgow Greek Taverna founder Yiannis Bantouvakis, Stascia Bantouvakis, and her mother Linda Bantouvakis have opened a new Greek bar and restaurant called Yianni’s in memory of him above the original restaurant on Bath Street. Yiannis Bantouvakis opened Yiamas in 2012.

Five Guys has opened a new 3,787 sq ft store at the shopping centre on Almondvale Avenue, Livingston.

The restaurant opening is part of Five Guys’ ongoing expansion in the UK. It was established in 1986 by the Murrell family in Virginia and launched in the UK in 2013, opening in Covent Garden on 4th July.

Pho, the Vietnamese street food restaurant group, has secured its first site in Scotland and will add to its 31-site portfolio when it opens in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter in November. Founded by Stephen and Juliette Wall in 2005, private equity funder TriSpan acquired a significant majority stake in the business last month.

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 5

BRAND NEWS

ALL THE L ATEST BRAND NEWS

WHISKY

GIN

GLENEAGLES PARTNERS WITH THE GLENTURRET WITH NEW RELEASE

BOE GIN GROWS ITS RANGE

Gleneagles joines forces with Glenturret Gleneagles Hotel has joined forces with its neighbour, The Glenturret Distillery, to create the very first Gleneagles single malt. Daniel Baernreuther, Hotel Manager at Gleneagles, said, “We have always been committed to working with the finest Scottish food and drink producers, but when the opportunity arose to work with our close neighbours at The Glenturret to create our own limited-edition product, we jumped at the chance.

“There have been so many changes over the last few years at Gleneagles. As a natural progression and evolution of our beverage and whisky program, creating our own whisky was the next logical step and because of our shared location, I feel like this is really a match made in whisky heaven.”

TAMDHU RELEASES CIGAR MALT NO 01 Tamdhu Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky has announced the global release of its Cigar Malt No. 01 - a special limited edition new bottling to celebrate an age-old pairing.

Sandy McIntyre, Tamdhu Distillery Manager, said, “While whisky and cigars have long been enjoyed together, we wanted our Tamdhu Cigar Malt to cement that bond with a marriage of flavour and craft befitting of the two worlds.

“This whisky, exclusively matured in first fill European Oak Oloroso sherry casks, provides the perfect accompaniment to the finest cigars. That we were able to use those sherry casks to continue the legacy of the Cigar Malt through the humidor is very special indeed.”

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Scottish gin distiller Boë Gin has added two new flavoured spirits to its existing seven-strong range: Boë Raspberry & Sweet Basil and Boë Bramble.

Carlo Valente at Boë Gin said, “We’ve had a lot of fun creating our new expressions, and we are very excited to launch them into our range. Each expression is full of flavour, perfectly balanced to ensure that each note is detectable and can be enjoyed in a range of serves to suit different tastes and occasions, bringing a splash of colour and flavour to your cocktails.

“Our new bottles perfectly encapsulate our brand; fun, bold and colourful, that looks great on both a bar and in a drinks cabinet.

We know our customers love to be daring with both flavour and colour and will welcome our new expressions with open arms.”

PORT New White Port from The Port of Leith Distillery The Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh has extended its Cask Partners range of port and sherry with the launch of a new White Port product.

Said Ian Stirling, co-founder of the Port of Leith Distillery, “We are aiming to educate consumers on the variety and strong appeal of Port. White Port is a beautiful drink, widely enjoyed overseas, and we are confident it will have the same impact here. It’s a delicious aperitif, perfectly accompanied with olives, cheese and charcuterie, a refreshing drink with tonic and wonderful base for a cocktail with the white port negroni one of our preferred serves.”

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 7

GOLDEN RECOGNITION FOR EXCELLENCE FOR THE ORKNEY BREWERY

T

he Orkney Brewery in Quoyloo, has received yet another Golden Award, this time for its dedication to delivering excellence and their impact on brewing in the UK. The award received this week, was a national recognition, by members of CAMRA, who were asked to nominate brewers, who were still brewing great beer for drinkers today. CAMRA awards director Gary Timmins commented, “Winners have been chosen for their success in standing the test of time. They are breweries or cider and perry producers that have gone above and beyond in delivering excellence or innovation over the years”.

The Orkney Brewery, was the only brewery in Scotland to receive such an accolade and one of only 18 nationally. They originally started brewing on Orkney in 1988, in an old schoolhouse building at Quoyloo. The brewery has been consistently recognised nationally and internationally, for the quality of its brewing and range of beer.

Orkney Brewery’s managing Director, Norman Sinclair, said, “To

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be named as the only Scottish brewery, alongside some iconic and big brewers is quite some recognition. I believe this upholds our reputation for brewing beers of great quality and flavour. For me and our team, it is just brilliant news, and we hope also for our customers and consumers, as we start to enjoy some more of life’s freedoms after a difficult period”.

The award comes as the brewery celebrates another milestone.

Normans’ son, Arran, has headed to Edinburgh, to begin studying, at the world-renowned centre of excellence for Brewing and Distilling, at Heriot Watt University.

Cask brewing for The Orkney Brewery has again started in Spring this year, as pubs in Scotland started opening back up post lockdown.

Demand has seen Orkney’s cask beer range, with a revamped branding pushing Orkney quality, grow up to 8 beers, including Raven, the first beer the brewery launched, the iconic Dark Island and new beers Island Life and Cliff Edge IPA.

RIGHT BEER, RIGHT NOW

BY JASON CADDY

SUPPLY ISSUES, GAS SHORTAGES, THE PANDEMIC, LOW AND NO BEERS, SUSTAINABILITY. JASON CADDY REPORTS ON WHAT’S HOT IN THE BEER CATEGORY.

I

t was a very different world when I last wrote about beer back in March 2019. Times were simpler then and a feature like this would typically touch on the brands setting the heather alight and the buoyancy of the beer market and how customers were voting with their feet, and what was trending, etc. Fast forward a couple of years and you can add supplier issues, C02 shortages, and the pandemic to the mix. Then there’s sustainability and low and no alcohol beers too. Let’s unpack it all.

David Brown, owner of The Palais in Glasgow has been affected by the double-whammy of beer and gas supply issues but one is causing him more sleepless nights than the other. He said, “We get all our stuff from Inverarity Morton and they have been up there and done a really good job.

Molson Coors has also been really upfront about any issues.

“It seems to be a keg issue on the whole.

Brewers can’t get their hands on kegs in closed businesses that they simply need to empty and refill.

“If I can’t get a certain beer it’s not a huge problem, but if I don’t have C02 I can’t pull any beer and I’m having to shut down all 11 lines. I have to say that trying to get gas in the last few weeks has been an absolute shocker.

“I won’t name the company I use but they now offer no weekly service anymore – you must call in for one and, on top of that, I ordered our normal weekly supply and was told ten working days and so we waited and waited, but nothing.

“We must have called five or six times and were put on hold for about 40 minutes and then told it would be 15 days. Once it got to 19 days I just went to another supplier and filled up the back of the car and took it to the pub myself.”

This year’s Sunday Mail Pub of the Year winner, The King’s Arms, hasn’t felt the pinch yet, but it’s still a concern for co-owner Mikey Lennon.

He said, “It’s all a bit of a worry. For the last six weeks, we have struggled with beer deliveries, but Star Pubs & Bars have been great and done everything in their power to give us any headsups and they have allowed us to buy out from them at wholesalers. Their main objective is to keep us operating.”

Many of you will also be aware of the fact that those pubs that are tied are set to gain new protection after MSP Neil Bibby’s Tied Pubs Bill was passed at Holyrood in March. His Bill creates a statutory code and independent adjudicator to regulate brewers in case licensees are being exploited by mark-ups.

With a scarcity of supply, I’m sure you’ll all appreciate your beer more than ever and perhaps it’s widened your suppler catchnet if you’re not tied and prompted you to buy in more craft beers from local breweries.

According to CGA, an extra 4,000 UK pubs, bars, and restaurants are now stocking craft beer on draught – meaning that 36% of all UK on-trade outlets had a craft beer offering in 2020. While the SIBA British Craft Beer Report says that 24% of customers are more likely to visit a pub with a decent craft beer selection.

Orkney Brewery is a case in point. It’s going great guns.

Said Commercial Manager Craig Steven, “Orkney Brewery beers are all about the quality of flavour.

Their popularity has already ensured the small brewing team are back and busy, brewing our exceptional quality cask and premium bottled beers.

“Alongside our renowned and recognised established beers, we have added more new world hop flavours, with the introduction of Island Life Session IPA. Our new beer heralded a revamp of the branding, strengthening our position, with a more contemporary appeal that still oozes Orkney class.

“Our Island Life IPA is special, much like life on the islands. Orkney has been regularly recognised as one of the finest places to live in the British Isles. So, like the easy-going enjoyment of your personal island retreat, with Island Life Session IPA, your customers can take their time, relax and indulge.”

What about customers’ beer-buying behaviour post lockdown?

Said David Brown, who as well as The Palais also owns The Record Factory in Glasgow, “We are Molson Coors led and have a guest tap on a weekly rotation and we sell a lot of that and a lot more customers are looking to try new products.

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“CLASSIC LAGER TYPICALLY ACCOUNTS FOR 54% OF ALL LAGER CONSUMED IN THE ON-TRADE AND DELIVERS £3.7 BILLION IN VALUE SALES, ALMOST 30% OF TOTAL BEER VALUE. SO, YOU RISK ALIENATING CLASSIC LAGER DRINKERS AND DAMAGING REVENUE POTENTIAL IF YOU REMOVE THIS ALTOGETHER.” JOHN GEMMELL

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I think that more people got the taste for craft during lockdown and this opened their pallets to trying different beers.

“Of course, 4 to 4.5 per cent lager is still our major seller but the split has evened out over the rest of the beers lately. IPAs sell well.”

John Gemmell, On Trade Category and Commercial Strategy Director at HEINEKEN UK concurs. Quoting UK CGA on-trade figures, he said, “While premiumisation remains a trend in the on-trade, it’s important not to forget the role of classic lager. Classic lager typically accounts for 54% of all lager consumed in the on-trade and delivers £3.7 billion in value sales, almost 30% of total beer value. So, you risk alienating classic lager drinkers and damaging revenue potential if you remove this altogether.”

But Stuart McPhee, owner of Siberia Bar & Hotel in Aberdeen, is noticing no slow down in the premiumisation juggernaut among his customers at least, despite the challenging economic conditions.

He said, “The main thing I have noticed is that we are selling loads of Birra Moretti since we reopened after all the lockdowns. The move toward premiumisation is still with us.

“Customers are drinking what they want to drink rather than be driven by what they can afford and we are seeing the continuation of the shift away from the entry-level lagers to higher-end more and more. Red Stripe on draught is also doing really well.”

Then there are world beers. Said Scott McLardy, National Sales Manager for Scotland at Molson Coors Beverage Company who is quoting figures from CGA, “After the events of the last year, people are more likely to want to treat themselves and will be willing to pay a bit more when they go out, so look at how you can make the most of this with a range of more premium options.

“There’s also a growing market for world beer, which is growing ahead of the core category in the Scottish on-trade . To tap into this, we teamed up with La Sagra Brewery in Spain to create Madrí Excepcional, a crisp, clean and refreshing lager that captures “El alma de Madrid” or “The Soul of Madrid” for pubgoers here in the UK.” The customers at The King’s Arms are looking for pints in the main and this could be an aftershock of the lockdowns.

Explains owner, Mikey Lennon, “What I’ve noticed most is that people want more pints and I am putting this down to people getting used to

drinking bottled beers at home and perhaps from their own homemade bars, so when they come out they are looking forward to a pint.

“Home drinking might also be the reason we are not seeing as many beer drinkers at the weekend, and perhaps this also has something to do with social anxiety in some customers, which is understandable.”

Sustainability is just as big news in beer as it is in any other business and Heineken UK has embarked on a new trial to explore more sustainable ways of growing barley, one of beer’s main ingredients, to reduce CO2 emissions.

The first year of the pilot will begin with the 2021 autumn crop-sowing campaign. Ten farmers will take part and approximately 7,000 acres of winter and spring barley varieties will be grown, yielding 25,000 tonnes of grain; enough to brew 300 million pints of beer.

As are low and no-alcohol beers too of course as they continue to grow their market share in line with greater health-consciousness.

John Gemmell of HEINEKEN UK said, “A third of UK adults are now moderating their alcohol intake and 65% proactively try to lead a healthier lifestyle. With health and moderation becoming increasingly prevalent in drinkers’ lives, no and low alternatives are becoming a must-stock feature, so health-conscious consumers feel part of the occasion. At the start of 2020, the no and low alcohol sector was worth £94M in the UK (0.6% share of total Beer and Cider) and £8M in Scotland. “ David Brown did have a non-alcoholic beer on draught at one point. “Our non-alcoholic beers sell well. We used to have one on draught but it wasn’t shifting enough to justify continuing with it.

“The quality of available brands has definitely increased but we still only sell a very small percentage of it and I only see this growing.”

Carling, meanwhile, has aligned itself with a campaign to improve mental health. A threeyear partnership is well underway with CALM – the campaign against living miserably and its aim is to encourage conversations and inspire people to look out for each other and provide support when they can by using the common ground of football.

So there you have it. Let’s hope that when we next come to write about beer the world will have turned just the right number of times for us to be free of at least some of the challenges we’re all facing right now.

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LICENSEE INTERVIEW JASON CADDY HEADED TO GREENOCK RECENTLY TO CATCH UP WITH ANDREW, THE MAN CREDITED WITH REVERSING THE FORTUNES OF LITHGOWS

L

icensee Andrew McQuade reversed the fortunes of a rundown Greenock pub during the pandemic to such an extent that Lithgows made it to the Kopparberg New Bar of the Year finalists at the 2021 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards.

He took on the leasehold from Hawthorn Leisure during the first lockdown in March 2020, refurbished it shortly afterward, and brought in a whole new team to run it. He’s also been leasing The Cabin in his native Clydebank from Rosemount Taverns for four years and employs 20 staff between the two through his company, Quade Leisure. And all this from a man that is only 32 and who also turned his own life around.

Said Andrew, “I was on benefits seven years ago. I genuinely have come from nothing. I saved up the money for my first lease and have continually re-invested the money I have made back into the bars and it’s definitely paid off in customer loyalty and sales.

“Lithgows had such a tarnished reputation before I took it on that the council were initially very interested in what I was doing, but they’ve since eased off now that they can see I am running a very different operation to how it’s been in the past.”

Lithgows award nomination was a massive boost to the entire team and Andrew never imagined getting this type of industry recognition so soon after starting his pub company.

“It was such a shock to be nominated let alone make it to the finals against the likes of Moskito in Glasgow when I have only been doing this for four years and am relatively new to the game.

“It was such a massive boost and I was so proud of achieving this and of my team. A guy from a council estate wouldn’t normally be at an event like that, but I worked hard for it and was honoured and humbled by it all.”

What was it that lit the spark in Andrew to start building his own pub estate?

“I grew up in Faifley just outside Clydebank, in an average family.

My step-dad went out to work and my mum was a stay-at-home mum. I wasn’t born into money. I didn’t come into money. I have got where I am through hard work and determination and the spark was lit by me wanting to get out there and make something of myself. “ I don’t want to be stuck in a job where someone is determining my wages. I would rather work for my money and bring something new hospitality. For example, I created the entire

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THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH

BY JASON CADDY

list of 60 cocktails at Lithgows myself and I am extremely passionate about food, drink, and the hospitality industry.

But things haven’t always been a picnic for Andrew – who is extremely hands-on in both businesses.

“This career path has cost me blood, sweat and tears – it can be extremely hard going at times and there are companies out there that have a financial cushion or family legacy. I don’t have that – but this only spurs me on to work even harder and I’m not averse to rolling up my sleeves and mucking in.

“I work in the kitchen every weekend and in the bar at Lithgows, and in The Cabin too. I’m still very hands-on and like to see who my customers are by working six days a week.”

Let’s rewind a bit to when Andrew took on his first lease. After working in Glasgow nightclubs for G1, The Court Bar in the Merchant City, and training as a barber and barbering in his 20s, he decided to ditch his scissors and get serious about his future in hospitality.

“I stopped barbering and was working for Kained Holdings as a manager and loved it and it was then that I decided to spread my wings and do my own thing and saved up enough money as a deposit for my first lease.

“I was looking for a certain type of bar so I emailed the Rosemount Taverns’ MD Craig Bruce, a great guy, and spoke to him and he took me over to Clydebank to show me the Cabin and I took it there and then.”

What was it about the Cabin that captured Andrew so that he was able to make such a snap decision to take it on there and then?

“It’s a great bar and I knew it was for me. It’s got a lovely old traditional bar and the first thing I did was sit at the bar and order a drink as I waited for Craig, and the staff and customers made me feel so welcome and I instantly knew that this was the place for me. There was another guy interested in it too, but I got it and signed for it before he got a look-in.

“I kept the staff on for a few months, and while they were great, that arrangement didn’t work out so I brought in a whole new team and renovated the place.

“It’s fair to say that it was just ticking over and the sales were below average and the stock was fairly basic. I introduced over 40 gins into the place and this was all done on instinct. No market research or anything, plus the staff told me that it would never work. Now gin is my biggest seller.

“It also had just two whiskies and I now have over 20 odd whiskies in The Cabin. I’ve introduced a lot of craft beers too, like Innis & Gunn, that was never heard of in Clydebank and introduced some beers from the Hidden Lane brewery and they all started going through the roof.

“As word got around, people started to come in and I introduced a quiz on a Thursday which is maxed out and other DRAM OCTOBER 2021 13

THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TOUCH entertainment, like ‘The King of Swing’ on a Saturday afternoon and you can’t get a seat. Before I took it on you were lucky if there were ever five to ten customers on a Saturday afternoon.”

Finding the right staff and management and adopting a clear training ethos with a customer service focus was ranked paramount by Andrew at the time and still is.

“The staff focus on upselling all the time and I tend to hire people with experience, like manager Heather Fisher, who was previously the manager of Jon Browns in Clydebank and this was a huge player in the town for years. She does all staff training and she’s excellent at her job.”

Then came the opportunity for bar number two in the form of Lithgows.

“I got the lease for Lithgows from Hawthorn Leisure during the first lockdown and it was just ticking along really. That’s all. When I first saw it, it was in a bad way, I’m not going to lie.

“The interior (which is now a lovely grey colour) was bright red, the

Scotland’s favourite pub tenancy company wishes Andrew continued success for the future.

Rosemount Taverns Limited 5 Fitzroy Place Glasgow G3 7RH Tel: 0141 221 7799 Email: office@fitzroyplace.co.uk Contact: Mr Craig Bruce 14

DRAM OCTOBER 2021

carpet was all dirty, and the paintwork was manky. The curtains were caked in dust, the upholstery was slashed and there was a big football mural covering one entire wall. You get the picture.

It was such a wasted opportunity but I could see the opportunity instantly.

“I traded the bar as it was for a few months to generate some more money and then I invested it all into a complete renovation and I bankrolled all the cosmetic changes while Hawthorn Leisure paid for any structural repairs like in a part of the ceiling where there had been a leak and it was in danger of collapsing.

“I brought in new staff and trained them and widened the offering behind the bar and started doing food, and when we first opened properly after the restrictions were lifted, there was a two-week wait on tables for food. I think that I’m doing something different not only for Greenock but also for Inverclyde.”

Andrew’s businesses have so far not been affected by the industrywide staff shortages but he’s fearful of slow, late, and cancelled deliveries soon being felt by the customer.

“I’ve been very lucky with my staff. I’m not facing the same shortages as other operators are and this has been a curse for so many of them. Ryan Noble is my general manager at Lithgows and he’s phenomenal at his job and brings his hospitality as well as events management experience to the role.”

“All my other staff have remained with me throughout the pandemic too, and I incentivise them to stay by paying the living wage, fair rotas, such as no back shifts onto early shifts, and lots of discounts of up to 50 per cent on food and drink across both units. I also run staff bonus schemes at certain times of the year.

“None of my product lines have dried up yet so the customer hasn’t noticed anything different yet, but I’ve had several meetings with brewers lately and they’ve warned me that they are running low on certain products so I fear that it won’t be long before there’s an interruption in my supply.”

What about the future? Any plans for leasehold number three for Quade Leisure or is he quite happy with his lot?

“All I can say at the moment is that Hawthorn Leisure approached me about another lease recently and I have been to see it and I’m very interested but I have to keep it under wraps.

“All being well, I hope to open it in the next six months and I can see me taking on more leaseholds after that too, now that I know how much work is required for each business.”

Andrew’s also been making more of an effort to tear himself away from the businesses as much as he can and take his mind off the day-to-day demands of running two pubs.

“I have just started saxophone lessons to try and switch off from the job. Not easy in hospitality. But I’ve heard that you can get lost in the moment when you’re learning to play an instrument and that’s what I’m hoping for more of in the months to come.”

He’s also got a wee holiday home in Wemyss Bay and was heading down there for some well-deserved time off with friends visiting from Wales once I bid him farewell.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WINNERS AT THE DRAM AWARDS WISHING EVERYONE A SUCCESSFUL 2021-2022

A CELEBRATION OF EXCELLENCE W

ell what a night we had - it was a great celebration of all that is good and great about this industry. The atmosphere in the room was amazing and everyone got into the spirit of the occasion. Many people said to me ‘it was just great to be back.’

A massive congratulations to all of our winners and finalists too, because to get into the finals is an achievement in itself.

Your customers, family and industry friends took the time to vote, which just shows the high esteem that they all hold you in.

Our Lifetime Achievement recipient, pictured above, Sandy Fraser, was described as “one of the most generous, and caring people that you could come across” and as “remarkable.”

Sandy Fraser our Lifetime Achievement recipient pictured with his famiy and Susan Young right.

It was a complete surprise for him and thanks to his family for helping us to organise it.

Another wee surprise on the night was the award presented to me by the Scottish Hospitality Group - the inaugural Recognition Award. A massive thank you to Stephen Montgomery for his kind words and to Nic Wood and Kenny Blair (pictured above) and the rest of the SHG team. It was just lovely.

Last, but by no means least, I would like to say a huge thanks to all the sponsors who have supported this event and the people and businesses we honour. It was and is a privilege to work with you all.

Here’s hoping that the celebration next year will see us all leaving our masks behind!

Susan Young

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 17

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DRAM OCTOBER 2021

DOG FRIENDLY PUB OF THE YEAR 2021

WINNER - THE FORTH INN, ABERFOYLE FINALISTS:

APPLEBANK INN, LARKHALL

THE INVER INN, TAIN

RADISSON RED, GLASGOW The judges said: “This was a very close competition but the winner pipped the others to the post by the warmth of the greeting and its attentiveness – water was arranged immediately on arrival.”

BEST/MOST IMPROVED OUTSIDE AREA 2021

WINNER: THE BUF, PRESTWICK FINALISTS:

THE BRIG & BARREL, DUNBAR

THE SMOKING GOAT, AYR The judges said: “Their customers were right when they said it had a great Beer Garden, with its own outdoor bar. But they also said the service was brilliant and safe and went above and beyond.””

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 19

CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

WINNER - SIBERIA, ABERDEEN FINALISTS:

HOWLIN’ WOLF, GLASGOW

PLATFORM 1864, TAIN

ZINFANDEL GASTRO BAR, GLASGOW The judges said: “All the venues passed with flying colours but the winner was exceptional.

We came as mystery shoppers but we will now be regulars.”

EMERGING ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - BILLY MILLIGAN FINALISTS:

DAVID BROWN, THE PALAIS, GLASGOW

STUART MCPHEE, SIBERIA, ABERDEEN

ADAM NEWTH, THE TAYBERRY, BROUGHTY FERRY The judges said: “Another tough category but the winner proved to have a real hunger for developing his business and taking it to the next level. We look forward to mentoring him.””

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THE PALAIS CARLING COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR 2021

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 21

CONGRATULATIONS

DEREK MATHER TO

DEANSTON WHISKY GURU OF THE YEAR

22

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COMMUNITY PUB OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THE PALAIS, GLASGOW FINALISTS:

THE BLACK BULL, GARTMORE

NINE MAIDENS, DUNDEE

THE BLACK BULL, GARTMORE SILVERWING, EDINBURGH The judges said, “This bar is one of the most popular bars in the local area. Whether you are a pensioner, student, professional, parent, a quiz enthusiast or have a four-legged friend– this pub offers a warm welcome, good food, and entertainment. It has a real neighbourhood buzz.”

WHISKY GURU OF THE YEAR

WINNER - DEREK MATHER, ARTISAN FINALISTS:

ANDY ROBERTSON, ORANMOR

TOM GIBSON, THE GLASSHOUSE

EUAN MCMILLAN, BEN NEVIS The judges said of the winnner: “The knowledge that this candidate has gleaned over the years is exceptional. He lives and breathes whisky and goes out of his way to promote it. He is a true whisky guru.”

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 23

“It was a great night and we were delighted with the win. But the most important thing was celebrating hospitality getting back on its feet. There are still well documented challenges ahead, but it was wonderful seeing everybody back in a room together again. What a well-run event.” Allan Low, The Fox & Willow, Ayr

“Winning made all of the hard work so worth it and what a fantastic night. I took the team along and they loved it and it was great to see everyone letting their hair down and celebrating the hospitality industry and everybody being back together again.” Kevin Finnie, The Buf, Prestwick

“I am a wee bit humbled about winning but over the moon just the same. The evening was fantastic and it was good to be in a room with my industry peers. The food was fantastic and the guys at The Hilton and The Radisson Red knocked it out of the park.”

Derek Mather, Artisan, Wishaw 24

DRAM OCTOBER 2021

“What an amazing night as always, I would firstly like to thank Susan for her continued support and utter dedication to the licenced trade her passion is infectious.

After what has been the most difficult time for pubs, hotels, restaurants & venues over the last 18 months the annual gathering that is ‘the Dram’ was the very welcome and much needed lift the whole trade needed after such a long time being locked down and stuck indoors.

Seeing so many industry colleagues on the evening was simply fabulous, thank you Susan and thank you to your whole team for pulling this evening off we all had a ball and roll on 2022.” nn Smith, Kopparberg “We were so chuffed to be one of the top four finalists, and it was so unexpected to win – but one of the best surprises ever and a nod to all the hard work we’ve put in. What a fantastic evening and what a great set-up and it was so good to be in the same room with everybody who’s doing what we’re doing and hearing their stories.” Mikey Lennon, The Kings Arms

“It was fantastic to win and it made all the hard work of the past four years all worth it. The team and I had a great night celebrating with the owners of the bars that we looked up to when we started our business, and continue to admire.

Susan and the team did an amazing job organising such a memorable event.”

Matt MacPherson, The Malt Room, Inverness

“It was a fabulous evening. Firstly, I was very pleased for Lifetime Achievement winner Sandy Fraser who’s a personal friend of mine.

For us, the award is massive because we have 300 kilometres of forest trails on our doorstep and we genuinely encourage people to come in with dogs.

We’ve already put a board outside saying ‘Dog Friendly Pub of the Year. We all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. I’ve been in this industry a long time and it was good to see people that I hadn’t seen in a long time! I loved seeing them celebrating and winning and being acknowledged so that their peers can see how hard they have been working.” Phil Crowder, The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle DRAM OCTOBER 2021 25

COCKTAIL BAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - LIDO, TROON

THE GATE, GLASGOW

RADISSON RED, GLASGOW The judges said of the winnner: “The winning bar, with the winning cocktail, proved that you can embrace sustainability and create a superb tasting drink.”

WINNER - HARRY OLORUNDA, HALEWOOD SALES REP OF THE YEAR FINALISTS: FINALISTS:

MATT LAMBERT JAEGERMEISTER

MARC MCPARLAND ARBIKIE

The judges said, “This sales rep is passionate about the industry and that shone through. Is he ever off?”

26

DRAM OCTOBER 2021

SOCIAL MEDIA AWARD

WINNER - RADISSON RED, GLASGOW

The judges said of the winner, “There was a stand out social media star this year. This venue and the General Manager did not shy away from organising all sorts of events over lockdown all of which were live streamed, from a cooking programme to a charity in-house rooftop festival. Their presence on social media was apparent for all to see. The instigators created great content, interaction and results. Of course, the effectiveness of encouraging their customers to vote in the Scottish Bar and Pub Awards was also considered.”

CONNOISSEURS CHOICE WHISKY BAR 2021

WINNER - THE MALT ROOM, INVERNESS FINALISTS:

THE ABBEY, NEWINGTON

ARTISAN WISHAW

THE POT STILL, GLASGOW The judges said of the winner: “The staff could not have been more welcoming – and they were knowledgeable and happy to advise. But what also stood out was the customer service – the attentiveness of the barstaff meant that your glass was never empty.”

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 27

BAR APPRENTICE 2021

WINNER - ALANNA BEATTIE, HILLHEAD BOOK CLUB FINALISTS

LAURA HIGGINS, ANGELS

AIDAN MCCURLEY, FINSBAY,

BECCA MACDONALD, HAMILTON’S, EDINBURGH

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

WINNER - TONY CRAIG, BLACK IVY FINALISTS: SCOTT HENDERSON.THE RECORD FACTORY GLASGOW

KATIE MORAN GRAND CENTRAL CHAMPAGNE BAR The judges said of the winner: “This person is experienced, professional, and totally focussed on customer service and on motivating their team to do the same. They also demonstrated excellent commercial awareness.”

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DRAM OCTOBER 2021

CHARITY ENDEAVOUR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - MANORVIEW HOTEL & LEISURE GROUP

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - MACMERRY GROUP, DUNDEE

The judges said: “Every year there are companies that shine for different reasons, and this is one such case. This pub group has expanded significantly over the past two years. It has opened bars in Glasgow and in Dundee and there is more to come. The passion that the people behind it have is obvious, and they are not afraid to take risk.”

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 29

The Spirits Range

Congratulations to the nominees and winners of the 2021 Scottish Pub & Bar Awards Follow us on social: @Kopparbergtrade sales@kopparberg.co.uk

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THE FOX & WILLOW, AYR FINALISTS:

THE DAPPER MONGOOSE, GLASGOW

THE INVER INN, TAIN

KINNEUCHAR INN, KILCONGUHAR The judge’s said: “The number of votes for this restaurant was phenomenal. And now we know why. The food was excellent and the menu varied, the service was also first class. The restaurant was very busy but nothing was too much trouble. Said one happy customer” Always a great atmosphere and the food is amazing.”

NEW BAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - COAST, IRVINE FINALISTS:

LITHGOW’S, GREENOCK

THE BULL, GLASGOW

MOSKITO, GLASGOW The judges said: “This bar and restaurant is stylish and well planned out. Said one voter, “A high five to whoever designed it.” it’s not just the design that is good, the venue has also received rave reviews for its service and food.

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 31

EVOLUTION AWARD

WINNER - THE FORT, BROUGHTY FERRY FINALISTS:

THE GOLF INN, LADYBANK THE LOCALE, GLASGOW

The judges said, “The owner of this bar and his team have transformed the venue. They used the time they were closed to transform what was a tiny outdoor area and car park into a tremendous beer garden which is loved by all. And it has been expanded and improved over the last year too. Not only that, but he has also continued investing.”

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DRAM OCTOBER 2021

MOLSON COORS EVOLUTION AWARD CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FORT, BROUGHTY FERRY

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 33

TO THOSE THAT MAKE THE INDUSTRY GREAT... CHEERS!

@BELHAVENBREWS Belhaven.co.uk BEST ENJOYED RESPONSIBLY

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DRAM OCTOBER 2021

THE ORIGINAL BEST

OLD TOM 1821 HOTEL BAR OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THE CAVE, MELDRUM HOUSE FINALISTS:

DALMAHOY HOTEL, KIRKNEWTON

GREYWALLS, GULLANE

THE MARINE HOTEL, TROON The judges said, “You couldn’t fault this bar – the service or the décor, its range of spirits or cleanliness. It was great.”

INDEPENDENT PUB GROUP OF THE YEAR

WINNER - THE WINGED OX LTD FINALISTS:

CRU HOLDINGS, INVERNESS

MACMERRY GROUP, DUNDEE

The judge’s said: “This Group have a proven track record of transforming venues into success stories and despite a harsh two years they have never been busier. Its latest offering is booked out until Christmas and is quirky, while its Eastend venue has grown and grown in popularity. It is credited with kick starting the revival of this area.”

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 35

INSPIRATIONAL EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

WINNER - SCOTT HENDERSON, THE RECORD FACTORY, GLASGOW

AWARD FOR SUSTAINABILITY

WINNER -DERBY LANE, GLASGOW FINALISTS:

JOSEPH PEARCE, EDINBURGH

THE OAK TREE INN, BALMAHA

TIKI BAR GLASGOW The judges said of the winner. “This is lovely new bar, with strong sustainable credentials – from sustainable drinks to reusing garnishes, no waste products due to a deal with a Juice bar and re-cycling delivery cardboard into beermats, and much more.”

36

DRAM OCTOBER 2021

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 37

PUB OF THE YEAR

THE KINGS ARMS, FENWICK

The judges said, “This is not reallly about what we say but what their customers say which is “fabulous, lucky to have it - the transformation has been remarkable....great food, great staff, great teamwork.”

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16 Stewart Street, Milngavie

CHARLIE’S LOFT

DESIGN FOCUS

BY JASON CADDY

H

ave you heard the one about the elephant that walks into a bar? Billy Milligan named Charlie’s Loft, his new place above Finsbay in Milngavie that debuted last month, in honour of one that attempted to get into a pub in the area many moons ago.

“The chief attraction at Craigend Castle Zoo was Charlie the elephant, who lived in the stables block along with his keeper Singh Ibrahim. The pair were inseparable.

“One day Ibrahim decided to go for a drink in one of Milngavie’s pubs on the High Street. As he walked towards the village, he was unaware that Charlie was following and he got stuck in the pub door. It took the local fire brigade to free him.”

There are nods to Charlie everywhere – like carved wooden elephant heads on the beautiful gantry, neon ones, and elephant door handles and knockers.

Billy has a passion for interior design and so was responsible for much of what you see, working very closely with interior designer Yvonne Wilson to come up with his new hybrid concept.

“Yvonne was really helpful. We would bounce ideas off of one another and she was great and the two of us worked really well together, Yvonne having a wee bit more experience than me.”

Billy won the Buzzworks Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year at the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards - a prize including mentorship from David Wither and Colin Blair.

40

DRAM OCTOBER 2021

And it so happened that he also consulted with Colin on Charlie’s Loft when it was in the initial planning stages.

“I had a conversation with Colin about what I wanted to do with the loft space above Finsbay because Buzzworks has a similar space at the Vic’s and The Vine in Prestwick.

“I decided that, because of the area and its diverse clientele, a hybrid, multipurpose venue was the best way forward. It had to cater to a variety of customers. For example, the chairs and tables for watching sports on the big screens or entertainment on the stage can be cleared away to open up a dance floor.

“It’s got a 2am entertainment licence – the only one in East Dunbartonshire – and it’s not a bar or a club or a restaurant, it’s a little bit of everything. We also have DJs and live music, digital darts, and a pool room.”

And it was a completely new outfitting job in what was an empty space and because it’s tucked away in a loft, Billy was keen to make it a destination venue that had something special about it to entice customers up the stairs, as well as repurposing furniture from other venues.

“It had to have a wow factor because it’s in a loft so people need encouragement to go up there.

“From a costing point of view, I always try to repurpose items from other places too. The seats in Charlie’s Loft are from So LA, the bar front from The Drake, and a lot of stuff behind

the bar from another Glasgow venue, Strathclyde University Union.”

But they also built some of it from scratch – like the beautiful wooden gantry.

“The gantry has lots of intricacies and we wanted to make it look like it had been there for a while, so we varnished it to make it look older.”

The floor catches your eye too and is attracting a lot of attention and comments from customers, and Billy wanted this to be a departure from normal parquet flooring.

“It’s actually herringbone composite flooring. I suggested mixing up two or three different kinds and the supplier had never done that before and I think that it gives it such an eclectic feel and loads of people tell me they like it.”

The design highlight has got to be all the elephants. They’re fun and give the design a story to tell. There’s also a lot of neon, including the la vie en rose sign and one on the ceiling that changes colour.

The floral mural also really pops out and was mainly Yvonne’s handiwork.

The black and white floor, the teal velvet stools, the gold metal chairs, the beautiful gantry are all some of the major standouts too in what is a cool space without trying too hard.

DRAM OCTOBER 2021 41

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I

t has certainly been a month filled with drama - but it started off with good drama - eg the DRAM Awards aka The Scottish Bar and Pub Awards. It was great to see everyone - in fact, I actually felt quite emotional. It felt normal and who would have thought that normal would feel so good. I would like to say a massive thanks to the Hilton who pulled it off and to the Radisson Red for the after show - it was amazing.

I was delighted to hear that Neil Morrison had tied the knot. The brave woman is Gill Ross, the new Mrs C. Congrats to you both… and apologies or stealing your pic from Facebook. It was so gorgeous that it would have ben a sin not to use it.

Of course, we then had the CO2 shortages, combined with the driver shortages, and then the petrol shortages... on top of staff shortages...and now a Vaccine Passport. I am just amazed at how resilient the trade is - coping with all of the aforementioned and more. If we were running the country, I am positive we would be doing a better job than either the UK Gov or the Scottish Government! Perhaps it is time for a trade political party... just saying!

It’s a trade I have been reporting on for the last 30 years - seems like yesterday. And I was very sorry to hear that Allan Hardie the former Scottish boss of Alloa Brewery, which morphed into Carlsberg, had died. He was a true gentleman, one of the nicest men you could have met, and a great mentor for those that worked with him. He was also a past Chairman of the SLTA and President of the BEN. I did quite a few trade visits with him and a memorable trip to London too. Our thoughts are with Margaret and the family.

Talking of family, I hear that Nicky Hood is doing a charity climb this month. But it’s not Ben Nevis, instead he is heading to Morocco and the Atlas Mountains and is raising funds for Marie Curie. He is doing this in memory of his Dad - Harry Hood.

One thing is for sure his dad would be very proud of him. If you want to support either get in touch with him or donate through Justgiving - www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Nicky- Hood1 We wish him the very best.

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DRAM DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING PUBLISHED BY MEDIA WORLD LIMITED UPPER FLOOR / FINNIESTON HOUSE, 1 THE STABLES YARD / 1103 ARGYLE STREET, GLASGOW / G3 8ND t: 0141 221 6965 e: news@mediaworldltd.com w: dramscotland.co.uk Publisher-Editor Susan Young • Editor Jason Caddy • Chairman Noel Young • • Commercial • Nikki Orr, Guy Griffiths Production Fiona Gauld • Admin Rebecca Orr Published by Media World Ltd. Subscriptions: DRAM is available by subscription for all other qualified persons involved in the Scottish Licensed Trade at the rate of £52 per annum including the DRAM Yearbook. The publishers, authors and printers cannot accept liability for errors or omissions. Any transparencies or artwork will be accepted at owner’s risk. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written permission of the copyright holder and publisher, application for which should be made to the publisher. Articles published in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. © Media World Limited 2021. Printed by Stephens & George Print Group.

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Time to re-think how customers are served www.

Glasgow Edinburgh Aberdeen safely whilst keeping staff protected.

0141 1802 01224 216430 Time299 to 1802 re-think0131 how503 customers are served Time to re-think how customers are served www. safely whilst keeping staff protected. safely whilst keeping staff protected.

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HERE FOR YOU ACROSS SCOTLAND SPEAK TO YOUR MOLSON COORS SALES MANAGER TO FIND OUT MORE.

Get in touch – Scotland.Sales@molsoncoors.com 0131 225 9520