Scottish Licensed Trade News

1 week ago | sltn.co.uk | Gordon Davidson

One year after opening its doors, The Social Hub Glasgow has welcomed a level of success and public engagement that surpassed its ‘wildest expectations’. The European group’s Scots-born founder, Charlie MacGregor, said that the strong 12-month performance of the Glasgow site – the UK’s first Social Hub – had strengthened his belief that the business model can be rolled out across the country.

2 weeks ago | sltn.co.uk | Gordon Davidson

Fife’s Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms, The Peat Inn, is up for sale, after nearly two decades under the care of Geoffrey and Katherine Smeddle. Built in the 18th century, in the countryside between Cupar and St Andrews, The Peat Inn has a 250-year history of hospitality, having previously served as a coaching inn, hotel and pub. Owned and operated by the Smeddles since 2006, the restaurant has held a Michelin star since January 2010.

2 weeks ago | sltn.co.uk | Gordon Davidson

Cider continues to be a ‘major force’ in pubs, with UK sales now up to £2 billion annually, according to Heineken UK. The company’s latest Cider Report stated that the category has grown by 5% in value across the UK even as volumes have dipped, which the company said was a sign that cider customers are ‘premiumising’ – ie shifting to more expensive products – though it could also be partially explained by rising prices.

2 weeks ago | sltn.co.uk | Gordon Davidson

Stylish Ayrshire coast hotel Seamill Hydro has unveiled its ‘completely reimagined’ Firth Pavilion wedding suite. The result of a £750,000 investment in structural renovations and interior design, the refurbishment has introduced floor to ceiling windows framing enviable views of the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran, creating a ‘showstopping’ setting for celebrations.

2 weeks ago | sltn.co.uk | Gordon Davidson

The first section of the Scottish Pubs Code is now in effect, as the person responsible for enforcing the legislation takes up her role. The code, established by the Tied Pubs (Scotland) Act 2021, governs the relationship between pub companies and their lessees, and contains a range of provisions which the Scottish Government hopes will ‘improve the rights of tied pub tenants across the country’. A similar code has been in place in England and Wales since 2016.