SLTN - dedicated to the trade sltn.co.uk April 27, 2017 Estella - SLTN - linda.indd 1 19/04/2017 14:26 Estrella - SLTN - linda.indd 1 24/04/2017 12:36 SLTN - dedicated to the trade sltn.co.uk April 27, 2017 Incoming councillors should take time to learn about the business New boards must understand trade By Dave Hunter “This is a real opportunity for local communities as well as SCOTLAND’S incoming licens- some councillors to give their communities a real boost,” said city and town centres.” ing boards should take the time As well as the day-to-day to learn about the licensed Simmonds. “On average every pub in licensing of alcohol in their • This year’s Paisley Beer Festival had upwards of 300 beers on offer. trade as a matter of urgency areas, the new boards will be before making decisions that Scotland adds £100,000 per year to their local economy. tasked with drafting new li- will impact on livelihoods, say censing policy statements, trade groups. “With a common sense ap- Pulling out all the proach, greater transparency which are due to take effect in The local council elections 2018. taking place a week today (May and consistency, the industry can play a key role in the re- Jack Cummins, of Hill Brown stops in Paisley 4) are expected to see new Licensing, said the “one really councillors elected in many ar vival of local economies across FOOD and drink took centre - the country.” big issue” for every policy state- included a series of eas, which will inevitably lead stage in Paisley last weekend Stephen McGowan of legal ment will be overprovision. cooking demonstrations to the election of new board “Will we see post-election as the UK City of Culture members across Scotland. firm TLT said he expects a shift candidate’s Abbey Close from Masterchef winner in licensing policy in at least boards respond to criticism Gary Maclean, family Speaking to SLTN, Scottish Li- from Alcohol Focus Scotland flourished with more than censed Trade Association chief some parts of Scotland follow- 30 street food traders and entertainment from ing next week’s elections. and others that not enough is CBeebies star Katy Ashworth executive, Paul Waterson, said producers, while beer lovers “There are a number of expe- being done to curb the avail- as well as a celebration of board members should meet ability of alcohol?” said Cum- were out in force for the beer with representatives of the rienced licensing board mem- festival at Paisley Town Hall. the 30th anniversary of St bers who we know will not be mins. Mirren’s 1987 Scottish Cup licensed trade to “get the gen- “In particular, could large The double header, which eral feel for licensing as a new standing for re-election in vari- saw the 30th annual Paisley victory. ous board areas so I do expect swathes of the country become Beer festival organiser board”. ‘no-go’ zones with boards elect- Beer Festival run alongside “People come in and, very to see some new approaches in the third annual Paisley David Cassidy of CAMRA certain areas,” said McGowan. ing to declare the whole coun- said the group had been often, they don’t know much cil area overprovided? Food Festival, forms part of about the business,” said Wat- “It would be encouraging to Paisley’s bid to become UK “delighted” to celebrate with see boards look to take a fresh “If, as expected, there’s a St Mirren, and added that erson. major change in the political City of Culture in 2021. “When they come on the li- view on the night time econo- Weekend highlights this year’s event had more my and to remember the social make-up of councils after the beers to try than ever before. censing board they’ve got to election, it would be surprising learn. But as they learn they’re benefits that responsibly-run licensed premises can bring to if there weren’t moves to clamp making decisions. And some- down on new licences.” Don’t miss chance to times they find, with some experience on the board, that shine at SLTN Awards these decisions are not always the right ones. THERE are just three weeks “And we’ve been caught in left to enter this year’s Independent Pub/Bar, Whisky Bar of the Year and the middle of that. SLTN Awards, and judges “I know they’ve got training, are champing at the bit Beer Quality to exciting new additions like Gin Bar of the but they’ve really got to try and to get out and visit some listen to experienced people.” of Scotland’s top venues, Year, Best Soft Drinks Offer and Rum Bar of the Year. Co-operation with industry operators and staff over the was also stressed by Brigid Sim- coming months. If you think you’ve got what it takes, or reckon you monds, chief executive of the With more than 20 Scottish Beer & Pub Associa- categories, there’s something know someone who does, enter online at sltn.co.uk. tion. for everyone to shoot Simmonds said the SBPA for – from favourites like The deadline for entries is May 19. would “like to see a commit- ment to work with industry wherever possible”. Business Rates a problem? news The study Calls for verification system and greater control at a glance Mixed views gin & premium tonics 2000 TripAdvisor was launched 17 Tripping up the years ago in 2000 and is said to have contributed ‘significantly’ to the of review site growth of tourism. By Jack Walsh NEW partnership be- Mixers can make tween VisitScotland and A TripAdvisor is said to hold the potential to inject up Mixing up a gin £14bn TripAdvisor to £150 million into Scotland’s generated £2 billion economy. in visitor spending The deal, announced by first minister Nicola Sturgeon, will in the UK that would see Scotland promoted to a trade? or break gin offer not have taken place claimed 70 million potential otherwise in 2014; new visitors, reflecting the it influenced a total scale of TripAdvisor, which has Soft drinks firms say consumers are seeking out premium serves spend of £14.3bn in grown exponentially since its inception in 2000. HERE’S no sign the gin bubble is 2014. But what impact has it already going to burst any time soon, with • Fever-Tree’s had on the licensed trade? Tsmall producers from Scotland Fergus Franks An Oxford Economics study and abroad continuing to roll out reckons customers released earlier this year premium liquid after premium liquid, want “better claimed to quantify its impact. driving interest in the category. quality” serves. 90m Key findings in the report in- And it’s not just gin sales that are on menu The review site’s dicated the site had significant the up. content influenced sway, with TripAdvisor con- Tonic waters and mixers are seeing a total of 8.7 million tent said to have influenced a One such example is The Pot which she said can be “quite point where you can do bet- the benefit of a burgeoning gin Still in Glasgow. hard to take” as a small busi- ter”, adding that it’s “not going Industry opinion on trips and 90.7 million total of 8.7 million trips and category, according to a number of soft Having not set up a TripAd- ness owner. away so you have to embrace it visitor nights in the 90.7m visitor nights in the UK drinks firms. in 2014. visor page (it automatically Alice Silverwood, who co- and hope for the best”. Ruaridh Aitken, assistant brand UK in 2014. In the same year, 37,000 populates with just one cus- owns The Old Mill in Killearn Recognising the role online manager at Fentimans, said the accommodation properties tomer review), co-owner of and The Inn at Kippen, ech- review sites have to play in “explosion” in premium and craft gins received more than 1.4m re- the pub Geraldine Murphy was oed this view. She said she 2017, several businesses now “has had a knock-on impact on the views; and since 2006, reviews bemused to find that TripAdvi- has “mixed” feelings towards incorporate TripAdvisor into mixer market” as drinkers seek out “a 37,000 are said to have grown 34-fold. sor had incorrectly labelled the the site and tries to pay less at- their social media training. premium product with superior taste” In 2014, 37,000 VisitScotland ratified the re- whisky bar as a restaurant; and tention to it, as she feels it can Louise Maclean of multiple to complement the spirit. port’s findings as its Scotland at one stage two years ago, it be “horrendous” for the con- operator Signature Pubs told “To satisfy the growing need of craft accommodation Visitor Survey 2015 found that was ranked fidence of SLTN it’s “a terrific tool to be mixers, pub and bar operators are Different mixers can businesses received 66% of visitors used traveller- the number small busi- utilised”, while Heineken- well-advised to ensure they have a more than 1.4 million submitted reviews and ratings one restau- nesses. owned pub company Star Pubs review website is selection of premium mixers on offer,” reviews during the as “a key planning tool”. rant in Glas- Everybody I know “I don’t & Bars takes a similar stance; said Aitken. With over 25 years of experience helping the licensed trade save year; restaurants now Commenting on TripAdvi- gow, which think it’s it runs free social media work- Nathan Burrough of the recently- sor’s growing influence fol- Murphy said says ‘I don’t take made a dif- shops for its licensees on how relaunched historic Scottish soft drinks receive more reviews lowing the publication of the highlights the it personally’, but ference in best to approach TripAdvisor.