News

THE Scottish Government has been backed to see off a two-part legal challenge to its new minimum pricing legislation. The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) confirmed last week that it’s taking action against the controversial policy in the Scottish and European courts. But leading licensees’ group the SLTA said the action only delays the inevitable, claiming that “the moral argument will outweigh the business argument” in the forthcoming courtroom battles.

ONE of the country’s leading licensing experts has questioned new research exploring the link between crime and the availability of alcohol. Solicitor Jack Cummins believes the research, undertaken by academics at Glasgow University, underestimates the power licensing boards have at their disposal. The study, which examined the impact of regeneration on disadvantaged communities in Glasgow, found a direct correlation between crime rates and the number of alcohol outlets in a neighbourhood.

DUNDEE operators are looking forward to a cash windfall in the wake of the storm engulfing Scottish football. While many pubs across the country, particularly in Glasgow and the west, are expecting to see footfall drop due to Rangers’ absence from the SPL, their counterparts in Tayside are hoping income will climb in the opposite direction.

WELLS & Young’s has launched a new McEwan’s golden ale – its first innovation on the brand since acquiring it from Heineken last October. The...

FESTIVAL-goers who like a dram with their drama could be in luck at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Running every Sunday throughout August, the Scotch Whisky...

THE Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen City Centre has been named the top hotel in the UK and the fourth best in the world, according...

THE chief executive of HIT Scotland has won a top hospitality training award. David Cochrane was awarded the Education and Training Award at this year’s...

EURO 2012 and the Diamond Jubilee are credited with bolstering JD Wetherspoon’s sales. The pub group, which has 800 outlets across the UK, including more...

GLASGOW-based hotel operator Chardon Management is to lose four Holiday Inn hotels from its portfolio – but gain three new properties down south. The conclusion...

New partnership aims to help hoteliers PROPERTY agent Jones Lang LaSalle has joined forces with hotel software supplier Guestline in a new partnership designed to...