Stirling’s night-time economy is to get a boost from a new event dedicated to delivering the very best in cocktails, pampering sessions, and retail therapy, all at discounted prices.
Stirling Cocktail Week, taking place from October 6-to 15, and will see a host of the area’s venues come together to showcase the city’s hospitality, supported by Go Forth (Stirling BID).
It is being pulled together by the team behind the successful Dundee and St Andrews Cocktail Weeks, Marketing: After Dark, a Scottish agency which hopes to help struggling hospitality businesses drive footfall into their premises and towns.
M:AD co-founder Alice Christison, 24, from Dalgety Bay, is proud to be staging an event she hopes will give a much-needed boost to the industry she loves – while helping out trade charity The Benevolent Fund too.
She said: “It has been such a difficult few years for the entire hospitality industry and sadly many businesses won’t make it if we don’t support them – we’ve already seen many great outlets close.
“We designed our Cocktail Weeks to focus on towns or cities across Scotland. The idea is to help boost trade by attracting locals and students into bars or restaurants they haven’t tried, encourage repeat visits to those they know and of course attract tourists and visitors to help the whole area prosper.
“On the flip side, it gives the public the chance to have a big night out – or several – exploring the very best of the local trade knowing they are spending a very modest set amount.”
Alongside cocktail venues, there are retail offerings from local businesses, coffee shops, restaurants and cafes, so there can be something for everyone and a boost to businesses across the city.
“We bring in other aspects of ‘going out’ culture to support other businesses in town like hair and beauty salons, going for a bite to eat somewhere, all the other elements which are related to your night out,” added Alice.
“It works for everyone – the customer gets a cheaper experience, enjoying the best of local surroundings, venues and drinks at a vastly reduced rate. While the businesses get increased footfall and new people coming in to check them out.
“I have had some great nights out in Stirling and I want to show off the city’s attractions.”
Open to over-18s only, the public are invited to go to the event website to buy a wristband which entitles them to discounted selected cocktails at all participating outlets throughout cocktail week.
“We are really proud of what we have created first in Dundee and St Andrews and now in Stirling and we will be back every year – we aim to make this a real annual highlight for both industry and customers,” said Alice.
“We also felt it was important to show we mean what we say about wanting to support and help our friends and colleagues in the trade, so once again we are making a donation from every wristband sold to The Ben, a wonderful charity which really helps hospitality workers in need.”
