Ian Cumming – Inverarity Morton, Glasgow
• How do you expect Christmas 2017 to compare to last year? Are you optimistic trading will be stronger this December than last?
Yes, I think it will. The economy is back in growth, there are people in employment – albeit wages haven’t risen in line with inflation and consumer confidence seems a bit shaky.
However, research suggests that we will make as many, if not more, visits to the on-trade this Christmas.
• What do you expect to be the most popular drinks this Christmas?
Bubbles and more bubbles – and not just Prosecco! Consumers are discovering other great sparkling offers now with Cava making a strong comeback and other countries producing some great wines.
Spirits will be strong again as cocktails will be high on the party menu and gin shows no sign of slowing down.
• How many extra staff will you be bringing on for this festive season?
There will be quite a few more elves working in the warehouse to make sure deliveries go out.
• If you could give one piece of advice on how to help a member of staff cope with the busy festive season, what would it be?
Keep smiling and try and enjoy the festive atmosphere. Despite the madness, it is still a magical time of year.
• What’s your personal favourite tipple at Christmas?
It’s tough to see past a glass of Burgundy with the turkey – Batard Montrachet from Louis Latour fits the bill; or a new world blockbuster wine – Woodstock Collett Lane Cabernet Sauvignon is an absolute cracker.
David Littlewood – Tor Na Coille, Banchory & the Kildrummy Inn, Alford
• How do you expect Christmas 2017 to compare to last year? Are you optimistic trading will be stronger this December than last?
We’re feeling optimistic this year. People in the north east are feeling more comfortable about spending money now that the oil industry has begun to recover.
We’ve seen consistent growth year on year at the Kildrummy Inn, so we’re expecting trade to continue on this path in December and already we’ve got strong booking numbers in.
And while we didn’t have the Tor Na Coille this time last year, we’ve noticed a real rise in business since taking over the business – and are expecting an equally strong festive period.
• What do you expect to be the most popular drinks this Christmas?
Prosecco and gin are both really in vogue right now, so we’re expecting them to be our big sellers – whether in cocktails or enjoyed on their own.
We’re currently working with Deeside Brewery and Distillery on their new gin – Twin River – which is currently exclusively available at the Tor Na Coille.
While it’s still in its initial phase, it’s been flying off the shelves and they’re hoping to release it widely before Christmas.
It’s one of just three gins in the whole of Scotland that doesn’t buy in base spirits; they make everything from scratch using the brewery’s own beer mash.
• How many extra staff will you be bringing on for this festive season?
We’ll be looking to take on casual staff across the Christmas period to support our busy offering of party nights and functions. There are a number of former staff members, many of whom have moved away for university, that return to both the Kildrummy Inn and Tor Na Coille over Christmas. It creates a nice, family atmosphere when everyone gets back together.
• If you could give one piece of advice on how to help a member of staff cope with the busy festive season, what would it be?
Be organised. It’s that simple. You need to know what’s coming up, anticipate what’s going to be your big seller, and make sure you’ve prepared as much in advance as you possibly can; whether it’s making sure fruit is cut for drinks and cocktails, food is prepped in the kitchen, or extra linen is ready for the tables. Oh, and get extra teaspoons – for some reason, there are never enough.
• What’s your personal favourite tipple at Christmas?
It has to be a dram, with just a tiny drop of water. I don’t have a particular favourite, but I’m quite partial to a Speyside malt rather than something peaty.
I’ve also got quite a sweet tooth, so something finished in a rum or bourbon cask – and with a bit of age to it – is perfect.
Grant Murray– Scotch & Rye, Inverness
• How do you expect Christmas 2017 to compare to last year? Are you optimistic trading will be stronger this December than last?
Yes, I fully expect this December will far exceed last year. We have had a great trading year in Inverness in 2017 – the city centre seems busier and there is more money about.
We are blessed with five Saturdays in December this year and, more importantly, the days Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Eve all fall on will be hugely beneficial!
• What do you expect to be the most popular drinks this Christmas?
There are a number of ways to look at this. Firstly, over the dark nights and the colder months, people are always tempted by delicious warming drinks, with ginger, spices, whisky and wine. However, you also have a lot of people who maybe don’t get out all that often, and they will always opt for the bright, easy-drinking classic and artisan cocktails. Beer remains hugely strong and I think places offering a good beer selection will benefit.
• How many extra staff will you be bringing on for this festive season?
We are in a fortunate position where a lot of our part-time staff are at college or university and, along with the rest of our staff, are happy to pick up all the hours going over the festive period. I always try and distribute hours fairly to my long serving and loyal staff before turning to new avenues of recruitment.
That being said, we have a couple of people on board who are happy to work over the festive season before moving on after the new year, which gives us a welcome cushion!
• If you could give one piece of advice on how to help a member of staff cope with the busy festive season, what would it be?
It’s going to be busy, people aren’t always going to be the easiest to deal with – know that going in. You can only work so fast, and as long as your team works together, you will all be fine!
• What’s your personal favourite tipple at Christmas?
Coffee. All of it.
