Comedian Kevin Bridges hands out the gongs to the best operators staff and venues across Scotland at glittering event in Glasgow
GLITZ, glamour and great fun – the SLTN Awards turned 18 in style this year.
And what a birthday it was as we celebrated the very best operators and venues across Scotland’s licensed trade with more than 670 guests at Glasgow’s Hilton hotel.
Scots comedian Kevin Bridges took to the stage at the glittering event to present no less than 23 awards to the cream of the crop across the industry.
Aberdeen operator Stuart Clarkson, founder of bar, restaurant and nightclub group PBDevco, was the big winner on the night, taking the SLTN Award for Industry Achievement, in association with Maxxium UK.
Collecting his award, Stuart said: “I’ve been in the trade for 30 years now and I’ve loved just about every minute of it.
“As far as I’m concerned, if you provide the right venue, give the right service and make people happy, you will be successful in this trade. And I truly believe that is the way forward.”
Steve Graham, director of Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group, which owns the Lynnhurst, Busby and Redhurst hotels, was named SLTN Entrepreneur of the Year for 2013, sponsored by Heineken.
The awards came after Manorview scooped the Independent Multiple Operator of the Year award and PBDevco’s Bob Calder, who runs The Bieldside Inn, was named Licensee of the Year.
Platform 3 in Linlithgow also took two awards, picking up Community Pub of the Year and Barperson of the Year for Iain Hewitt; and Ayrshire operator SimpsInns took the Inspiration Award for its Si! Cafe, Bar & Restaurant in Irvine and the Award for Best Outdoor Area for The Waterside in West Kilbride.
Six awards went to Glasgow. Boudoir in the Merchant City 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.
• To view all the pictures from the SLTN Awards 2013, visit our online photo gallery
