As the industry blossoms into the warmer months, we’re excited to bring you another packed issue of OnTrade Magazine, the most engaged with title for the hospitality sector in the uk for a reason.
In this edition, we’re thrilled to feature an exclusive with Mick Forster, CEO & Founder of GigPig, as he shares his bold vision for reshaping live music in venues across the UK. We also spotlight two standout venues pushing the boundaries of experience and atmosphere – BLOC+ in Glasgow and Dead Canary in Cardiff, each with their own unique story and approach to modern hospitality.
Of course, no issue would be complete without our regular deep dives into the business of the trade. This month, you’ll find valuable insights and updates from our industry experts including PayFacto, Nationwide Energy Consultants, The Licensing Co, and many more.
Whether you’re a venue owner, operator, or passionate industry insider, there’s something in this issue to spark ideas and inspire action.
Enjoy the read — and as always, here’s to the continued success of the trade
MICK FORSTER
FROM THE LOCAL TO THE LEGENDARY BLOC+
BLOC LAUNCHES “BLOC FOR EVERYONE” CAMPAIGN
Justin Wingate Director at TopGunMedia
Hayley
Ewing Head of Events - events@topgunmedia.co.uk
Fiona Gauld Production - info@topgunmedia.co.uk
For press enquires or advertising opportunists please call or email: Email: info@topgunmedia.co.uk Telephone: 0141 556 4111
LYNAS LYNAS FOODSERVICE: DELIVERING EXCELLENCE ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND, IRELAND, AND SCOTLAND DEAD CANARY
CARDIFF BRINGS THE STYLE
MICK FORSTER
FROM THE LOCAL TO THE LEGENDARY: WHY HOSPITALITY IS THE UNSUNG HERO OF UK CULTURE
When globally renowned DJ, Calvin Harris, bought the small Dumfries pub where he used to drink before breaking into the big time, it wasn’t just a sentimental gesture. Along with his business partner, he has transformed the venue into a thriving grassroots music hub - a place for new talent to step onto the stage and start their own journey. As Calvin said in a recent interview, it’s something they’re “very proud” of.
And so he should be. Because in today’s climate, protecting spaces like that pub is more vital than ever, and not just in Scotland.
Across the wider UK, our hospitality and thus, our live music sectors are under immense strain.
Rising costs, tax pressures and shifting consumer habits are threatening to shut thousands of pubs, bars and venues, the ‘seed’ spaces where music careers are born. The UK Spirits Alliance has warned that more than 9,000 pubs could close this year alone, and with the recent National Insurance Contribution hikes, this forecast now looks more realistic than ever.
Yet this is not just a hospitality crisis, it’s a cultural emergency.
These pubs and bars aren’t just watering holes, nor are they just community hubs or economic contributors. They are ground zero for a generation of singers, musicians, comedians and talent. They are literally where stars are made.
Just a few weeks ago at the BRIT Awards, breakthrough band The Last Dinner Party used their moment on stage to issue a powerful plea: protect
seed and grassroots music venues, or risk losing the next generation of award winners. It was a timely reminder that nearly every act standing under those O2 Arena spotlights started out performing on tiny stages in pubs and clubs, often to modest crowds. But this experience was vital to building confidence, building music and being spotted.
Take Oasis. Long before the sold-out stadiums and global tours, Noel and Liam were just two lads playing late sets on sticky floors in Manchester pubs. Without their local Boardwalk, there would be no Oasis. No Wembley gigs, no eight-hour ticket queues. It’s a story echoed by countless acts that define UK culture, from Sam Fender to The Rolling Stones, and one that as a nation we should continue to play a proud part in shaping.
We see this magic happen every week. We partner with hundreds of venues across the UK, including leading operators working in Scotland like BrewDog, The Botanist and Manahatta, to help them harness the power of live music and the results speak for themselves. Not only do these new acts get spotted by the right people who can propel their careers and dreams, but for the venues themselves, customers stay longer. and spend more. And with three in four punters actively choosing venues with live music over those without, these are numbers no operator can afford to ignore in an industry fighting to survive.
The intersection of music and hospitality is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a powerful ecosystem that generates jobs, fuels tourism and enriches our nation’s entertainment and cultural heritage. When we lose a
“These pubs and bars aren’t just watering holes, nor are they just community hubs or economic contributors. They are ground zero for a generation of singers, musicians, comedians and talent. They are literally where stars are made.”
GLOBAL UNCERTAINTY HOLDS PRICES
The actions and consequences of Trump’s erratic trade policies maintains uncertainty. Hospitality businesses will not benefit if lower energy costs result from recession.
Market Update
Continuing uncertainty over global trade and recession has led to energy costs stabilising in the last six weeks. Trade tariffs from the US continue to fluctuate. With 125%+ tariffs threatened between the world’s two largest economies. Recession in the US and China would have global repercussions.
Warmer weather has reduced gas for heat demand. European and UK reserves are slowly increasing, currently at 36 & 27% of capacity respectively.
The long-term outlook for energy prices is for lower costs. However, the market remains volatile and in the short term, prices may rise by a higher margin than they will fall.
While commodity costs have fallen by 20 – 30% in the last 3 months, the fall in contract rates is far less, even accounting for the impact of non-commodity elements in electricity rates. Suppliers will be reluctant to make significant reductions in a volatile market.
For businesses with flexible purchase strategies, recent price reductions will have made further purchases worthy of consideration. However, costs continue to fluctuate in and out of target ranges.
Wider Market Concerns
Suppliers are moving more quickly to disconnect hospitality operators, even when they are attempting to reach an agreement with their supplier. Further, disconnections are occurring when customers may not have been properly notified, or when the supplier has been notified of a change of tenancy. The suppliers who are quickest to disconnect are often the slowest to reconnect, seemingly content to leave customers without power for weeks.
Operators are understandably keen to secure the best possible price. However, some of the most competitive prices come from suppliers who are quickest to disconnect and offer very poor customer service. Such shortcomings are not adequately compensated for by a slightly better price.
It is increasingly important for businesses to factor in service as well as price and to get quotations from a range of suppliers. Understandably, customers may have no direct knowledge of the service levels of different suppliers.
Trusted partners such as Nationwide Energy can offer a market update and contract options, providing time for customers to decide. Mark McCormack, Nationwide Energy’s Scotland consultant can explain the key features of different supplier contracts alongside a market review and updates on available prices. He can also support any operators struggling to pay current rates or are at risk of default.
LYNAS FOODSERVICE: DELIVERING EXCELLENCE ACROSS NORTHERN IRELAND, IRELAND, AND SCOTLAND
From premium fresh produce and frozen, chilled, grocery and non-food to cutting-edge ordering tech, Lynas Foodservice is your complete catering partner.
With more than 70 years of experience, Lynas Foodservice has grown from a small family-run business into one of the largest and most trusted foodservice providers across Northern Ireland, Ireland, and Scotland. What sets Lynas apart is a rare combination of heritage, innovation, and scale – offering a one-stop-shop solution tailored for every corner of the food industry.
The company supplies over 5,000 products spanning frozen, chilled, ambient, and non-food categories, ensuring that chefs and caterers always have what they need, when they need it. But Lynas isn’t just about variety—it’s about quality and consistency, delivered with care.
That commitment to quality is underpinned by three exceptional businesses that sit proudly within the Lynas family. Causeway Prime, Lynas’ own craft butchery, offers premium cuts of beef, lamb and pork—all expertly prepared by skilled butchers with full traceability and a dedication to traditional methods. Meanwhile, First4Fruit delivers fresh fruit and vegetables daily, supporting kitchens with produce that meets the highest standards of freshness and flavour. And, Keenan Seafood continues its decades-long legacy of supplying the finest seafood, sourced daily from trusted ports and expertly handled for maximum freshness. Together, these businesses enable Lynas to offer day 1 for day 2 delivery on fresh meat, fish, and produce—an essential promise for fast-paced foodservice operators.
Supporting this exceptional product range is a seamless ordering experience called ‘Order Your Way’. Whether through Lynas’ mobile app, WhatsApp, an online customer portal, or the traditional phone and email channels, customers can place their orders quickly, easily, and in the way that suits them best.
At Lynas Foodservice, we proudly serve a broad and diverse customer base—from restaurants and coffee shops to care homes, pubs, event caterers, schools, hospitals , delis, fast food outlets, QSR and industrial kitchens plus so many more. Whether supplying a local café or fulfilling national contracts, the company brings the same energy, passion, and reliability to every delivery.
With over 700 people working behind the scenes—from butchers and buyers to drivers and customer support teams—Lynas Foodservice is a business built on people. And while the company has grown in scale, it remains anchored in family values, a commitment to quality, and a belief in going the extra mile.
Lynas Foodservice isn’t just a supplier – it’s your partner in foodservice success.
Since our humble beginnings nearly 70 years ago when the Company was founded by Bobby Lynas, Lynas Foodservice has been dedicated to one word, Service.
The aim is simple, to serve our customer with the best product and the best service we can provide.
We deliver to over 5,000 independant and chain customers every week throughout Ireland and Scotland. Our customers come from right across the catering spectrum so with our extensive range we will have the right product to suit your needs and your business.
Contact us today to find out more and arrange a visit with one of our experienced team.
We are here for you.
DEAD CANARY XXX
Intro
The Dead Canary, Speakeasy cocktail bar with a Welsh storytelling menu
The venue has had great feedback from customers since opening. I believe the team is the biggest factor in the success, and the level of service they deliver and their passion they have to deliver great hospitality and drinks.
I think anyone in any business, especially hospitality know of the difficulties of being able to juggle everything. For us, we have found difficulty navigating the lockdowns, and then cost of living but also the huge hike in energy bills.
Our main passion is to ensure our guests have the best time. We strive to create an environment which is comfortable, and a cocktail menu to accommodate to everyone tastes.
We believe the aesthetic of the venue delivers a sense of the theme, creating a hybrid between 1920s New York speak easy, prohibition alongside Welsh culture, with references to the mining industry and Welsh folklore. A sense of identity is important to set you apart from other offerings across the city.
Check out our menu on our website www.thedeadcanary.co.uk
WHAT WE DO:
ADVICE ON PERSONAL AND PREMISES
LICENCES
DRAFTING AND LODGING APPLICATIONS
ATTENDANCE AT CONTENTIOUS HEARINGS
ADVICE ON BUSINESS STRUCTURES FOR LICENSED PREMISES
TRAINING AND MANAGEMENT OF STAFF PERSONAL LICENCES
organisational measures (that is a specific requirement of UK GDPR); and
• the business’ policies and procedures were out of date.
So now you know you need to take some positive action, review policies and make sure you’re processing personal data properly. But there’s a lot of buzz words there – what do they mean? Data protection law is all about protecting personal data.
Personal Data means personal information such as name, address, photos, reference numbers, reports (medical, educational and similar), account information, and contact details such as emails addresses and/or phone numbers.
Data Subject means a person who can be identified form their personal information - the ‘subject’ of the data. The person must be alive. Data subjects can be customers, employees, contractors and suppliers – basically anyone whose personal data you use.
Processing means taking any action with Personal Data. That starts when you record and store the information and ends when the information is (securely) destroyed. Other types of processing include organising, saving, changing, updating the Personal Data, sharing it or passing it on to others. If you hold information on someone, it counts as processing even if you don’t do anything else with it.
Data Controller decides how Personal Data in their organisation is processed. They are responsible from protecting the Personal Data from harm. Controllers are usually the larger business, whether a limited company, partnership or similar. Where the business delegates the data processing to an individual, they are a data processor. The responsibility for keeping the Personal Data safe will still rest with the controller.
Data Processors must protect Personal Data but they only process it on behalf of the Data Controller. Data processors can be employees in a business or contractors such as external advisers or service providers such as legal advisers, HR, accountants, bookkeepers, IT support and similar.
A Personal data breach occurs where Personal Data has been lost, destroyed, altered without proper permission, damaged or disclosed to someone it shouldn’t have been, even if that is by a cyber attack. Personal data breaches –once discovered – have to be reported to the ICO within 72 hours and failure to do so, plus how a business handles a breach, can determine of the business is fined or not - as we saw in the above Employee A scenario.
Cyber attacks cannot always be avoided but due diligence can be done to try to minimise risks. Advice should be taken from IT professionals but these are some straightforward pointers:
Secure configuration - set up systems and put in place security controls to try to minimise ways that a cybercriminal can access these.
User control – limited who can access systems and ensure there are different levels and clearances so access can be tracked
Malware software – use security and other available software to warn about and remove/neutralise malicious software before it has a chance to cause harm
Security update management – keep measures in place updated and take advice. Keep policies and procedures up to date and do regular staff training. Make sure changes are also communicated to third parties such as external advisers and service providers like bookkeepers, payroll and similar.
Firewalls - create a security filter/barrier between the internet and your network/information
The Data (Use and Access) Bill is currently being considered by the UK Parliament. It will amend current data protection law but won’t affect the main principles. We will provide updates on this on the On Trade webpages.
If any operators, venues or events would like further information or guidance, contact Joanna at The Licensing Company on 07747 653417 or info@thelicensing.company. Also look out for updates from Joanna on the On Trade pages and alerts.
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beatson track 2025
sunday 24th august
Join Beatson Cancer Charity on our annual 10k walk to raise funds for those affected by cancer. Take a tour of Glasgow's West End, with various treats along the way. Come along and take part in our day suitable for all ages and abilities – don’t forget, fourlegged friends are welcome too!
