News

A HOTEL firm with properties in Oban, Fort William and Dunoon has acquired a new hotel in Grangemouth, after securing funding from Santander. SGE Hotels...

HIGH-profile licensing lawyer Stephen McGowan has been appointed chairman of professional standards body the BII in Scotland. The solicitor, who moved from Lindsays to become...

JD Wetherspoon launches latest Scottish pub in Rutherglen PUB giant JD Wetherspoon has opened its latest pub north of the border in Rutherglen. An Ruadh Ghleann,...

SCOTTISH Government plans to stop members’ clubs abusing the licensing system have been welcomed by the trade. The Further Options for Alcohol Licensing consultation, launched before Christmas, has seen ministers respond to long-held concerns from operators that some clubs are “abusing either the letter or the spirit of the rules by operating in direct competition with local licensed premises” – despite enjoying certain privileges and not being subject to the same restrictions as mainstream pubs.

Two-time SLTN Award winner Carlo Citti talks to Gillian McKenzie about entertainment and social responsibility at the Glasgow venue ASK Carlo Citti what he reckons...

Pub, restaurant and hotel operators share their views on the trade as a career option THE start of a new year brings a natural pause...

Former bingo hall manager relishing new challenge. FOR Alistair Tares, the decision to take on his own pub wasn’t so much a gamble as the...

THE Scottish Government has come under fire from two of the country’s most respected legal minds over fresh plans to reform Scotland’s licensing laws. Ministers stunned the trade by launching a new consultation on alcohol licensing less than a week before Christmas. The proposals mark the third significant review of the licensing system since the 2005 Act came into effect in 2009. But, far from improving the system for operators, two leading licensing solicitors claim the proposals reflect almost exclusively the lobbying priorities of health groups, police and licensing boards.

Locals embrace Inverness hotel with new lessee at helm AN Inverness hotel is starting the new year in style after a £350,000 refurbishment. New licensee Liz...

HARVIESTOUN Brewery is to extend its range of craft beers and launch a new 33cl bottle size under a major expansion drive. The Alva-based brewery, which recently doubled the size of its warehouse and office space, was set to bottle the first batches of 4.2% ABV Bitter & Twisted and Schiehallion, which has an ABV of 4.8%, in 330ml format as SLTN went to press. The beers are already available in a 500ml bottle size and in cask and craft keg formats. Harviestoun MD Chris Miller told SLTN the new bottle size is being introduced with food-led pubs and specialist independent off-trade retailers in mind.