Top operators and venues honoured at 18th SLTN Awards
THE brightest stars in Scotland’s licensed trade were honoured at the 18th SLTN Awards last Thursday (November 7).
The biggest night in the trade calendar saw Glasgow comedian Kevin Bridges take to the stage in his home city to present no less than 23 awards as SLTN celebrated the hospitality industry stars of 2013 (see results).
The glittering awards ceremony culminated with the presentation of two awards for individual achievement.
Stuart Clarkson, founder of Aberdeen-based bar, restaurant and nightclub group PBDevco, took the SLTN Award for Industry Achievement, while Steve Graham, director of Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group, which includes Bowfield and the Lynnhurst, Busby and Redhurst hotels, was named SLTN Entrepreneur of the Year for 2013.
The two awards capped a memorable night for both, with Bob Calder, of PBDevco’s Bieldside Inn, having earlier picked up the award for Licensee of the Year, and Manorview being named Independent Multiple Operator of the Year.
Ayrshire operator SimpsInns also scored a double, with its Si! Cafe, Bar & Restaurant in Irvine taking the Inspiration Award and The Waterside in West Kilbride winning the award for Best Outdoor Area; and Platform 3 in Linlithgow also took two awards: Community Pub of the Year and Barperson of the Year for Iain Hewitt.
Elsewhere, it was a tale of two cities, as six awards went to Glasgow and Edinburgh took five.
In Glasgow, Boudoir took the Wine Award, Dean Evans of The Finnieston was named Mixologist of the Year, Brian Maule at Le Chardon d’Or took the Restaurant of the Year award in the £35 and over category, The Burnbrae in Bearsden was named Managed Outlet of the Year, Campus took the Social Responsibility Award, and Slouch was named Late Night Bar of the Year.
In the capital, Whiski Rooms was named Whisky Bar of the Year, The Balmoral Bar took the gong for Cocktail Bar of the Year, Wedgwood The Restaurant won the Restaurant of the Year (under £35 category), Why Not took Nightclub of the Year, and Dionne Martin of the Marksman bar in Leith was named Unsung Hero.
Two of the 2013 SLTN Awards went to Fraserburgh: The Elizabethan took the Beer Quality Award and Cheers was named Independent Pub or Bar of the Year.
Stirling outlet The Inn at Torbrex took the Refurbishment Award while The Paper Mill at Lasswade was named Family Outlet of the Year.
SLTN editor Gillian McKenzie said: “Huge congratulations to all of our winners, who have proved that Scotland’s bars, pubs and restaurants can rival any in the UK and beyond.”
• Also see photo gallery here: https://sltn.tempurl.host/sltn-awards-2013-gallery
