OnTrade Scotland Magazine - Sept Edition 2023

“ALEXA L AUNCH GO RADIO”

LISTEN TO THE BREAKFAST SHOW LIVE WEEKDAYS 6AM -10AM WITH CROFTY & GRADO

Welcome to the September edition of OnTrade Scotland

We have just about recovered from the party of the year we hope you have too. I can’t thank everyone who attended enough for creating such an amazing unique atmosphere, seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces, seeing the dance floor full from pretty much the first act really makes it special for us.

Our host the amazing Natalie James, I think everyone will agree smashed it out the park, & her show stopping performance ….. WOW!!! This years performances were from Spice World Tribute, Natalie James & the legendary QFX all of whom brought a fantastic vibe to the event and packed the dance floor all night.

The aim of the night is two fold ….

1. To entertain and recognise the people across the hospitality sector in Scotland that entertain and service their customers all year round with sometimes not a lot of recognition in a way that is not forced, stiff, or arrogant.

Where people can mix, laugh, dance and properly let their hair down as well as recognise some outstanding achievements across our industry in a room full of piers.

2. To help raise awareness and funds for The BEN for the amazing work they do in supporting people in and across our industry that have experienced challenges or fell on tough times through no fault of their own.

NOBODY SHOULD BE AFRAID TO OR TOO PROUD TO ASK FOR HELP

WE ALL NEED HELP FROM TIME TO TIME, FINANCIAL, EDUCATION, LOVE, SUPPORT, ENCOURAGEMENT, UNDERSTANDING OR EVEN JUST SOMEONE TO LISTEN AND THE BEN DO ALL OF THIS AND MORE.

We would like to than k all of our partners and exhibitors for their support and for adding great engagement to all of the attendees as well as keeping them well lubricated.

Our thanks to AU VODKA, GO RADIO, DRAGON SOOP, DOUBLETREE BY HILTON GLASGOW CENTRAL, DARK ART DISTILLERY, LYNAS FOOD SERVICE, INVERARITY MORTON, VODDY VODKA, FIERCE PROMOTIONS, ARGYLL SYSTEMS, THE BEN, JAGERMEISTER UK, PANTHER MILK, RS100, BDP CONTRACT FURNITURE, GLASWEGIN, KINGSINCH WHISKY.

Also our thanks to ANGELS SHARE GLASS for the fantastic custom made awards of which we are really proud.

Congratulations to all of the award winner on the night and to all the finalists. The awards with the exception of the friendship, industry champion, charitable endeavour, & hospitality engagement award are voted for by the industry and your customers, these are not decided by who advertises with us, who our friends are, who we want to have a better relationship with or similar. We go to great lengths to make sure the voting is transparent, even and reflective of customer and industry views and we take a lot of pride in this to make sure the winners can genuinely feel a sense of pride knowing the award has been achieved from thier piers & customers voting for them. Thank you for supporting the title and the event we never take it for granted Have a great September and enjoy this months edition.

Justin Wingate Director at TopGunMedia

Hayley Ewing Head of Events - events@topgunmedia.co.uk

For press enquires or advertising opportunists please call or email: Email: info@topgunmedia.co.uk Telephone: 0141 556 4111

Stephen Montgomery - The Year so far and

Industry News

XANDER DRIVER WINS THE GABRIEL BOUDIER WIZARD AWARD 2023

The Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award competition was first introduced by Emporia Brands and Gabriel Boudier in 2015 and has since become a hallmark event for the UK’s bartending community. Held every two years, the competition serves as a platform for bartenders to showcase their innovation and creativity in crafting unique and on-trend liqueur recipes.

The Grand Finale for the 2023 edition took place at the ‘Speakeasy Boudier’ a private bar nestled within the historic House of Gabriel Boudier. Among the other finalists who showcased their creations was Carrie Smith from Hoot the Redeemer in Edinburgh, Klara Kopcikova from The Pineapple Club in Birmingham, and Selina Otremba from Milk Bar in Reading.

Emporia Brands is thrilled to announce that Xander Driver, a talented UK bartender from 33 Cank Street in Leicester has been crowned the winner of the prestigious Gabriel Boudier Wizard Award 2023. This highly anticipated competition, held in partnership with Gabriel Boudier, brought together the finest bartenders in the UK to create an original liqueur recipe. With his exceptional creation, a turmeric liqueur, Xander claimed the coveted title.

To claim the top spot in this high-profile competition, participants had to prove their skills through a series of creations, closely scrutinized by a distinguished panel of hospitality and distilling experts. Xander Driver’s turmeric liqueur captivated the judges with its perfectly balanced flavour and innovative use of the liqueur his cocktails. Xander’s Turmeric liqueur will now be developed by Gabriel Boudier and join the illustrious line-up of previous Wizard winners, Matthew Cusworth’s Nori Liqueur, Maria Vieira’s Dijon Mustard Liqueur and Samuel Boulton’s Kaffir Lime Liqueur.

RADISSON RED ANNOUNCE EPIC RED FEST EVENT IN SUPPORT OF THE BEN

Scotland’s most stunning high-rise nightlife venue is set to stage a massive residents party to raise muchneeded funds for the hospitality industry charity, The Benevolent Fund.

Radisson RED Glasgow’s iconic RED Sky Bar – voted one of the world’s top 50 rooftop bars and best late night venue in Scotland – will host an event featuring a DJ from each of the hugely successful club nights regularly staged there.

The special REDfest party on Sunday, September 17 brings together top talents from homegrown events including

Generation GBX, Skyline, Hedkandi, Guilty Pleasures, Missberavin’, Electric Dreams and Boogie Brunch.

DJs playing are George Bowie, Twilo, Marc Rowell, Jon Mancini, Cassi, Michael Kilkie and Stevie Lennon – all donating their services in support of The Ben.

The Ben exists to help ANYONE who works or has ever worked in any licensed premises – so nightclubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and so on. They help with everything from accommodation to food, bills to appliances and just LIVING.

Radisson RED Curator Graham Chalmers, said: “This is a really important cause to all of us here at the hotel and indeed to me personally – The Ben is a charity I am proud to work very closely with.

“So many people across all sectors are struggling badly but I do feel those who work in hospitality are hit especially hard, with long hard hours and very stressful working environments. We are the ones who work to let everyone else enjoy a day or night out and it can take a toll.

Brand News

JOHNNIE WALKER PRINCES STREET EXTENDS ACCESSIBILITY

The experience will offer those using BSL a chance to enjoy a specially curated sensory experience in the Explorers’ Bothy which crowns the Johnnie Walker Princes Street venue, recently named the Best Whisky Experience in the World by Whisky Magazine.

Following on from sessions earlier in the year which were praised by BSL users, guests will explore Scotland’s liquid landscape, sampling a stunning collection of drams from iconic regions including Islay, the Highlands and Speyside. They will also have the opportunity to savour a very special Lowland grain whisky, exclusive to Johnnie Walker Princes Street.

Aiming to break down barriers around whisky for British Sign Language (BSL) users, Johnnie Walker Princes Street has added BSL whisky tasting sessions to its range of experiences this August and October. Tickets are available now for the Whisky Explorers: British Sign Language Edition (11th and 18th August and 13th October), where guests will enjoy a specially curated 90-minute tasting led by a whisky specialist, alongside a BSL interpreter and support from Deaf Action.

Building an inclusive and modern visitor experience has been a core focus of Johnnie Walker Princes Street from its inception, and these sessions are another stride forward for the world-renowned experience’s inclusivity goals. Johnnie Walker has worked closely with Deaf Action and a native BSL using consultant to ensure the experience is tailored to the needs of BSL users and those hard of hearing.

The business has worked closely with groups and charity organisations since before opening its doors to guarantee it was accessible to all communities. Working with Euan’s Guide since the planning stages, the building is fitted with an induction loop system for those who use hearing aids, and along with its various experiences, is fully accessible.

DIAGEO ON THE ROAD TO DECARBONISATION

up of vegetable oil and hydrogen (HVO) operating into and out of Diageo Leven, Fife, the company’s largest packaging site globally. The initial trial will look at the performance and reliability of the biofuel lorries and will run until the end of October.

HVO fuels can reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 98% compared with traditional fossil fuels like diesel. Malcolm Logistics runs up to 100 lorry loads into and out of Leven every day, meaning the potential for significant carbon savings if the trial is successful.

The trial is the latest in a series of initiatives from Diageo Leven as part of the company’s ESG goals. Earlier this year the site’s 8,000 panel solar array was switched on. On May 29th, the solar panels powered the site entirely for a full day when more than 580,000 bottles of spirits were produced.

Diageo has launched a new trial in partnership with haulage partners Malcolm Logistics to run biofuelpowered lorries, which is hoped to save up to 171 tons of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over the trial’s duration.

The partnership will see 11 vehicles powered by a fuel made

Gavin Brogan, Logistics Director, Global Brands Supply Chain at Diageo, said: “At Diageo, we’re acutely aware of our responsibility to lead the way in exploring new technologies to minimise climate harm and protect our environment. The biofuel trial with Malcolm’s is an exciting next step in our journey towards Net Zero, and if successful, could be a gamechanger for reducing CO2 emissions from our supply chain.

The Year so far and what is next?

The last year has seen the hospitality sector pulled from pillar to post, and nobody will have escaped the ripples that are being felt across the sector post pandemic

For many of us, if not all, the biggest talking issues are Energy, Business Rates, VAT, Inflation, Interest Rates and Recruitment….. the basics that make the running of every business, no matter what the sector, profitable, however, as we speak, they are what is making those same businesses either losing or simply keeping their head above water….. but slowly drowning. Add all this to the new LEZ in Glasgow, and it makes the financial issues of covid a secondary discussion

As countries began to recover from the pandemic, demand for gas started to increase again and could not be met due to a shortage in supply, which caused gas prices to increase in 2021. The problem was made worse by renewable sources like wind and solar producing less power with the cold weather, forcing more people to turn their heating up. Then of course we have the war in Ukraine

Many businesses were nearing the end of their current contracts, and seen ourselves being pushed into a corner, as prices rose in many cases 350-500%, forcing us to sign up to what we now know were going to be realistically unaffordable prices now that we are in a real time cost of living crisis, both in business and in our homes, which of course has the double circular bounce for business owners. There is an absolute need for some emergency assistance from those in power to press suppliers and brokers who inflicted heavy costs on businesses, to allow us to renegotiate new contracts now to allow us to survive, especially as we start to enter the darker colder nights, or before long we will see the lights being turned off in many more of our much licensed premises

In the UK Governments 2023/24 budget, we listened to Jeremy Hunt as he delivered a second year of discounts for hospitality for business rates in England and Wales, this time 75%. We were all living in hope that this would of course also be seen in Scotland with the release of Barnett Consequential money of £222 million, but sadly this wasn’t to be the case. In fact, what we saw was the small business bonus scheme relief drop from £15k Rv to £12k RV, bringing many more businesses into the rates payable category. Now, many would argue, and agree that everyone should pay something, but at a time where businesses are struggling and in need of a helping hand, maybe the timing wasn’t the best and again puts a strain on cashflow. We (SHG) are lucky to have a close working relationship with Scottish Government Ministers, and we are now in deep discussions on how we can look to make NDR a more fair and affordable tax. There is no doubt that in its 170 year existence, it needs a total overhaul.

The Deposit Return Scheme is now “shelved” until at least October 2025, when the UK Government plan to roll it out across England Wales and Northern Ireland. It certainly was a topic of conversation, and for many of us who worked on the policy and issues of the scheme, it was a daily talking point. It was clear that nobody was against the scheme in principle, however the issues relating to its launch, the timing, and the impact on businesses in Scotland were clear, and thankfully, just now, we can say that common sense prevailed, however, the devastation that it left behind with the collapse of CSL and the loss of jobs, along with the financial costs, is something that cannot just be simply be brushed under the carpet. Do the letters LEZ fill you with confidence? Again, whilst nobody is against LEZ in principle, we see yet another rushed policy that was consulted on during the pandemic having an impact on both businesses and consumers in the Glasgow area at a time of financial pressures. Put this together with a failing late night public transport, we have seen footfall drop after 7pm. Our bars and restaurants seeing consumer habits changing, due to the poor transport issues and our late night economy really struggling to survive. In our last SHG survey to Glasgow members, 67% saw footfall drop after 7pm, with 63% blaming LEZ and poor transport links. Something Glasgow City Council maybe need to think about if the city is to remain a vibrant area for both locals and tourists We can not always dwell on the negative side of hospitality though. There are always positives, and we are often all too guilty of concentrating on the negative part, but never celebrate on the good points. We see some fantastic operators opening new venues and continually growing, like Buzzworks opening a fantastic new site in Greenock, Michael Bergson with a new site in Edinburgh, and Simps Inns with the Potting Shed and The Terrace to name a few.

As we look forward, we must focus positively on the sector from all levels, as operators and from Governments. Hospitality brings joy and happiness to consumers and our fantastic teams who work in the sector, as well as taxes to keep the economy growing. If I had one ask from each Government ahead of both budgets, it would be for Jeremy Hunt to make a permanent 10% VAT rate for Hospitality, and for Shona Robison to give the sector some relief for a year with a reduction in NDR. We await to see what happens.

Only by working closely with all parties across all governments, and by working together with all trade organisations, will we see change, like we did with DRS.

The Thai Life

This month we look at the fantastic Chaophraya in Glasgow, its stunning exterior, the sumptuous elegant interior and obviously the mouthwatering food on offer. We turn you over to the team to tell you in their words what makes the venue so special.

Our business was founded in 2004 by partners in life and in business, Khun Kim and Martin. Kim, the real inspiration and beating heart of our restaurants, grew up in rural Khiri Mat, a village in the Sukhothai province of Thailand where her love for cooking stemmed from cooking with her mum.

At the age of just 15 with big dreams and an entrepreneurial spirit, Kim left her village for the busy streets of Bangkok. Kim’s main passion has always been food and so, in 1993, she set up her first Pad Thai cart. Through pure dedication and hard work, she expanded the business to run several street food stalls and won an award for the delicious flavours of her Pad Thai recipe. This very recipe is still proudly used across our restaurants today.

Kim and Martin met whilst Kim was working on that very stall in 1997 – and shortly after she moved to Leeds, Martin’s hometown, and the location of our very first restaurant.

Although the setting may have changed, the passion and soul behind our concept is beating as strong as it once was in the small village of Khiri Mat. Our goal is to deliver a taste of Thailand for you to fall in love with as much as we have. Experience true Thai culture, flavours, and experiences together at Chaophraya.

When customers choose to dine with us, they can look forward to immersing themselves in the allure of our authentic Thai cuisine within an elegant and glamorous setting. Our menu boasts a diverse range of traditional dishes crafted from premium ingredients, all meticulously prepared to capture the true essence of Thai flavours and culinary techniques.

For those intrigued by the art of Thai cooking, we offer an engaging opportunity to learn these skills firsthand through our Cooking Schools, led by our skilled chefs.

As a team, we are guided by our four core values,

represented by the acronym L.O.V.E. These values underpin every aspect of our operation and contribute to the overall experience we provide. You’ll find our L.O.V.E candle, symbolising these values, lit by the first team member entering in the morning and extinguished by the last team member leaving in the evening at every Chaophraya venue. This commitment ensures that our guests not only savour the flavours of Thailand but also encounter a genuine and heartfelt hospitality throughout their visit.

Our values that our customers should expect to experience are:

Samakee: Togetherness

We continuously work as a team, always supporting one another, ‘rolling up our sleeves’ and using our initiative to make things happen. We encourage our guests to enjoy their meals ‘family-style’, just as we do, by trying and tasting dishes together!

Ow Jai Sai: Care From The Heart

Everything we do, we do so with heart - from the training of our team, the preparation of our dishes, the selection of our heritage surroundings and so much more. The customer is at the heart of everything that we do – we are happy to personalise bespoke packages to suit their individual requests.

Ha Dao: Service Excellence

Believing in and delivering a five-star experience for our guests, every single time.

Sanook: Fun

As Thailand may also be known as the Land of Smiles, it makes it imperative for us to have fun and enjoy the journey. That’s why Martin and Kim have named their dog after this very value – Sanook!

Located just off Buchanan street within the busy city centre, with 4 floors we are officially the largest Thai restaurant in Europe, not only that but the building itself is that of the old Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. There is a beautiful collection of historic décor throughout the building showing an insight to many of the worlds famous composers and of course, we have added our special nod to Thai culture through our buddha statues

and famous elephant, Chang.

Since opening in 2012, we have become a household name within the Glasgow community. Our restaurant is hugely popular however what some of our visitors don’t realise is the vast number of events that we host in the venue. Our ground floor hosts an individual private dining space with more located on our fourth floor, boasting both intimate and large spaces which are perfect for meetings or private celebrations in Glasgow city centre. Our more intimate options include our breathtaking balcony, perfect for two. Our ‘Buddha Balcony’ offers a view across the whole lower restaurant with private entry and dining options bespoke for your special occasion.

Customer expectations have evolved – with advancements in technology, customers have become accustomed to seamless and convenient experiences. As a result, their expectations for what constitutes a good experience has risen.

In today’s world, customers crave more than just a meal at Chaophraya – they want an unforgettable experience. It’s not just about the food, it’s about immersing themselves in the sights, smells, and vibes of Thailand. People want to feel like they’ve travelled to the bustling streets of Bangkok or the tranquil beaches of Phuket while enjoying their Pad Thai or Green Curry. A great experience at Chaophraya creates memories that stick, and in a sea of dining options, it’s what sets a place apart. It’s not just a dinner, it’s a mini vacation, a break from the ordinary that people can’t wait to share with their friends and family. So, why is experience so important now? Because it turns a simple meal into an unforgettable adventure.

Join us at Chaophraya for an unforgettable journey that blends the vibrant tapestry of Thai culture and flavours. Our roots are deeply grounded in Khun Kim’s culinary passion, giving you an authentic taste of Thailand. Whether you’re stepping into Europe’s largest Thai restaurant with its captivating historic charm, or exploring our array of experiences – from Festive Parties and Thai Afternoon Tea to Cooking Schools, Cocktail Masterclasses, and Team-Building Days – Chaophraya promises an escape to Thailand right in the heart of the city. Your adventure begins now – enquire and book your spot to be a part of the Chaophraya experience.

SLTA "deeply concerned about negative impact" of Glasgow's LEZ

The

Paul Waterson, media spokesperson for the SLTA, said: “The introduction of the LEZ today is concerning for a number of industry sectors, and from a licensed hospitality perspective we are deeply concerned about the negative impact this exclusion initiative will have on the hospitality and night-time economy sectors and those that supply our industry.

“As an organisation, together with our members we care greatly about creating cleaner, less-polluted city centres. However, this must be achieved in the right way, at the right time, with a fully integrated approach.

“Recent air quality reports show that Glasgow’s air quality is good and meeting required standards – so why is it necessary to introduce phase two of this scheme?”

Mr Waterson pointed out that Scotland’s largest city already suffers from a “chronic lack of late-night transport provision to ensure safe and reliable transportation home for customers socialising and staff working in the city centre – something the licensed hospitality sector takes very seriously”.

He noted: “There is already a dearth of taxis serving the city centre and if hundreds more taxis are taken off the road, then how do customers and workers get home? Or do they just forget going into the city centre for work or to socialise in the first place which will be another hammer blow to Glasgow’s pubs and bars.

“And let’s not forget that these LEZs will be rolled out to most of Scotland’s other major cities next year.”

Calling for a “much-improved, fully integrated and affordable public transport system in Glasgow” to make the scheme work, Mr Waterson added: “Taxi drivers need increased assistance with finance to help them invest in new, compliant vehicles or to help them upgrade their current cabs.

“Industry, local councils and the Scottish Government all need to work hand in hand to make this work. We want it to succeed and make our city centres cleaner, less-polluted environments – but it needs to be done in the right way so everyone benefits.”

SLTA (Scottish Licensed Trade Association) has said it is “deeply concerned about the negative impact” Glasgow’s Low Emission Zone (LEZ) will have on the hospitality sector.

Dragon Soop, the 7.5% market leading Caffeinated Alcoholic Beverage (CAB) is now available in a new sleek 250ml convenient single serve can for the On Trade, especially launched to enjoy in clubs and bars. Drinks Giants Dragon Soop have just launched two top selling flavours

Dragon Soop Dark Fruit Punch and Dragon Soop Peach & Raspberry - each serving contains 1.88 units of alcohol.

Dragon Soop is a 2.5million case brand and growing, enjoying national distribution, Dragon Soop continues to outperform the total off trade drinks market (available in 500ml PMP cans) in value and volume.

Dragon Soop also makes a great base for SOOPER long drinks…………..

Dragon Soop Peach & Raspberry

Peach Puree

Lemonade

Served over crushed ice

Dragon Soop Dark Fruit Punch

Blackcurrant Cassis

Lemonade

Serve over ice and a slice

THE PEACH DRAGON

THE FRUIT DRAGON

Since our humble beginnings nearly 70 years ago when the Company was founded by Bobby Lynas, Lynas Foodservice has been dedicated to one word, Service.

The aim is simple, to serve our customer with the best product and the best service we can provide.

We deliver to over 5,000 independant and chain customers every week throughout Ireland and Scotland. Our customers come from right across the catering spectrum so with our extensive range we will have the right product to suit your needs and your business.

Contact us today to find out more and arrange a visit with one of our experienced team.

We are here for you.

Record entries for SWA Achievers Awards as gala dinner opens for bookings

Entries for the 2024 SWA Achievers Awards are 20% up on the previous event with many wholesalers who have not entered the competition before taking part.

With entries now closed and judging on schedule to take place in the autumn, the organisers of the high-profile event revealed that the number of entrants has hit record levels for 2024 – the 21st year of Achievers.

Returning to the O2 Academy Edinburgh, this landmark event highlights best practice and innovation within the industry and also recognises the dedicated people who keep its wheels moving.

Achievers are the only awards in Scotland dedicated to the wholesale food and drink sector with the gala dinner celebration attended by over 500 people from across the wholesale industry and its supply chain each year.

With 13 wholesale category awards and six supplier awards up for grabs, it’s a great opportunity for wholesalers to gain recognition for their innovation and customer service, raise their profile, and celebrate the achievements of the last year.

A new category for 2024, Best Innovation, will recognise an innovation that has made a significant difference to the

performance of a wholesaler.

In addition, a second new category will reward Scotland’s top Wholesale Local Food Champion, sponsored by industry organisation Scotland Food & Drink.

Supporting suppliers will judge the wholesale categories, supervised by an independent panel of judges with crosssector experience and knowledge, with judging taking place during September and October.

Colin Smith, chief executive of the Scottish Wholesale Association, said: “Achievers has maintained its position as one of the UK’s premier wholesale events over two decades, resonating with the industry and constantly evolving to meet the needs of the Scottish wholesale market.

“It is crucial that we recognise the industry innovations, trends and challenges that wholesalers face – particularly in recent years – and reward outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland by businesses and the individuals who make them successful, and this is reflected by our two new categories for 2024.

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VENUE OF THE YEAR

RADISSON RED

EVENT/GIG VENUE OF THE YEAR

RADISSON RED

HOTEL OF THE YEAR

RADISSON RED

CASUAL DINING VENUE

OF THE YEAR

BUCK’S BAR

FRIENDSHIP AWARD

ASHLEY O’BRIEN, SIMONE MCGRANAHAN & YVONNE NOON (CHEF)

NIGHTIME VENUE OF THE YEAR

HOSPITALITY ENGAGEMENT AWARD

EMMA MACAULAY KONG/WUNDEBAR BLAIR

INDUSTRY CHAMPION

ACCEPTED BY STEPHEN MONTGOMERY (SHG) ON BLAIR’S BEHALF

SHOW

EMERGING/NICHE BRAND OF THE YEAR

SKY

GARDEN GIN/DARK ART DISTILLERY

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT AWARD

BUZZWORKS

COCKTAIL VENUE OF THE YEAR

THE SPIRITUALIST

CHARITABLE ENDEAVOUR AWARD

LINDA GAMBLE, FERRY TAP

GERALDINE MURPHY, THE POT STILL

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

ALEXANDRA COLE, AU VODKA

YOU ALL PARTIED HARD

IS YOUR PUB FAMILY FRIENDLY?

WHY RUN A PUB?

There’s training. There’s licensing boards. There’s breweries, and other suppliers. There’s the cost of a kitchen, and the lost opportunity of not having one. There’s staff and their shifts. There’s blooming lawyers (and accountants, and architects) and the problems and fees they solve or create.

THEN, OF COURSE, THERE ARE THE CUSTOMERS…

It’s fair to say that running a pub is not without its challenges, and that many of those challenges are unique to the trade.

But one thing that’s not unique is that running a pub, like running any company, can make a living for you and your family. So ask yourself the question – is your pub family friendly? Specifically, is it friendly to your own family? Is your business in good shape to provide for you?

If you put the peculiarities of the trade to one side, a pub is a business like any other. It has creditors and debtors, cash in and out. Hopefully, at the end of the year there’s profit to pay out to the shareholders (it may not be as much as you want or expect, but that’s another story). So is your pub – your business – in the best shape to maximise what you make from it?

HERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. Are you a limited company?

The two most common ways to operate a business are as a limited company or as a sole trader/ partnership (these are basically the same, except you need two people to be in a partnership). The biggest “pro” to being a company is limited liability. This means that the debt of your business is not your own personal liability, but for certain worst case scenarios such as fraud. That’s not the case for a partnership. Partners are personally liable for the losses of their business. But partnerships can also be tax effective. The profit of a partnership is taxed once, as income tax. The profit in a company is subject to corporation tax (25% at present) and then dividend income tax when paid out. To be fair, most of our clients prefer a limited company structure for the security it brings… just be sure not to sign up to a personal guarantee, or else the benefit of limited liability is lost!

Either way, sharing ownership with family can help spread the tax burden and get more money into your household in a tax effective manner. That could mean having your partner as a partner… or sharing shares.

Derek Hamill Partner

2. DO YOU HAVE FAMILY IN THE BUSINESS?

In a company, it’s a common tactic to have a spouse or children hold shares and to be paid a dividend. Unlike paying a salary, there is no need to worry about a shareholder being an employee before you pay them

anything. Dividends can be paid from profit. Special income tax – “dividend income tax” – is paid on a dividend. This is typically less than PAYE, but that’s because corporation tax has been paid on profit too. The level of dividend income tax depends on your other income. The good news, though, is that there’s a tax free allowance of £1,000 per shareholder per year (the bad news is that this used to be £5,000 back in 2017). Every little helps – if you have two kids and a spouse, then (including yourself) this can get £4,000 out the business tax free.

This can require some alterations to the rights attaching to shares and creating different types (classes) of share, so be sure to take advice before doing this.

If you do employ family, remember that the rules on this have tightened up over the years – it’s not normally possible to just pay a salary where no work is done.

3. DO YOU “TRUST” YOUR FAMILY?

Another useful tool used in business is the family trust.

A family trust is a legal entity set up by an individual (known as the settlor) which allows another person to benefit from an asset without being its legal owner. A person is chosen to manage the trust (the trustee) on behalf of the beneficiaries. A trust continues to protect the settlor’s assets after death or in the event that they lose capacity to manage their own affairs.

If you put your shares into trust, then this allows you to

utilise certain benefits of a trust:

- it protects the shares and lets the trust run your company should you be unable to look after yourself

- it protect the business from divorcing spouses or business creditors (although this is not perfect, especially if you have issues when setting up the trust)

- it can allow the business to run without interruption when you pass away

Trust do have risks. They are complex and may not be for everyone. But they can be useful. Certainly, you should take advice before setting one up.

The real point here is not to lose sight of the fact that your pub is a business, and that it can be used to generate an income for you and your family. It’s that income that needs protected. It’s easy to lose sight of that when dealing with the day to day.

I’m obliged to say that nothing in this article is intended as formal advice, and that you should always take advice on the structure of your business and the issues I have raised. That said, there are various tools and techniques that can be used to generate and protect that value that are not unique to the trade. They are the same tools used by any business. Don’t assume that because of the unique issues in the trade, the common solutions used by other businesses won’t help you.

The right advice has never been more important.

We’re honoured to have been chosen as the exclusive partner of OnTrade Magazine Scotland. As one of Scotland’s full-service law firms we’re able to offer specialist legal, property and financial services. We’re here to help in a time when support and clarity are needed most – offering valuable advice and insight on everything from licensing, business financing, employment and real estate. Different people. Different approach. Different results.

To find out more please call Jo Millar on 0141 370 8116 or email jmillar@gilsongray.co.uk

With the cost of living continuing to skyrocket and food and drink price inflation at a record high, this year consumers will increasingly focus their spending where they are likely to garner some type of benefit. As a result, loyalty programmes will play a hugely important role in attracting and retaining customers in 2023.

Using EPoS systems or white-labelling apps, operators can fully leverage these benefits by providing customers with ‘rewards’ and ‘giveaways’ that feel unique to them. This is thanks to the software’s ability to analyse everyone’s purchase history and then promote specific meals and drinks to meet the preference of each customer. This will enable operators to not only stay competitive, but also improve customer service over time, retain customer data for targeted marketing campaigns, and introduce loyalty and reward programmes on an ad hoc basis.

When it comes to the future of EPoS systems, we are already seeing loyalty schemes growing in popularity. We can expect to see a rise in subscription-based schemes –– and sustainability-focused loyalty programs – such as giving points for eco-friendly purchases and planting trees.

At the same time, these capabilities also positively benefit hospitality staff by providing frictionless, convenient, and time-saving transactions for customers. This in turn reduces pressure on staffing during labour shortages that have persisted over the course of 2022 and into 2023, allowing staff to focus on higher value-adding tasks such as interacting with customers and enhancing their experience. This personability element is an important factor when a customer is evaluating whether to return to a restaurant. The next few years will be crucial in the evolution of the EPoS system, with any probability of EPoS being solely self-service channels (app and kiosks) along with the concept of cashiers and queueing reduced even further. As customers’ expectations evolve and demand for quick, convenient, and time-saving transactions grows, we’ll likely see more operators go fully digital in 2023.

Reward your biggest fans with a loyalty app that keeps your clients hooked on great deals.

You make great food that visitors love. But you want to improve efficiency, incentivise high-margin item purchases, and boost positive feelings at purchase to encourage repeat custom.

That’s where we come in.

We build stylish loyalty apps for restaurants that solve common problems. Diners gain custom loyalty rewards on all purchases – and the benefits don’t stop there. Our custom digital products can reduce staff costs and boost profits. We do this by increasing efficiency for orders made in-restaurant and for takeaway.

Unlike other restaurant apps, your 5Loyalty app integrates with your POS across all channels so you can monitor all your orders in one place – and never get caught out.

Rewards at all purchase points

Everyone loves a deal. Give something back to your diners with loyalty rewards that incentivise them to return again and again.

Diners earn loyalty points whether they eat in, get delivery, or collect.

Customise every aspect of the app.

Make the 5Loyalty app work for you. You can customise every aspect of the app.

Set rewards that benefit you, delivery boundaries and minimum spend thresholds to always maximise profit.

Complete POS integration

Keep track of all orders in one place with unique POS integration.

Accurately place orders with suppliers in advance of catering events with up-to-date order information. Everyone benefits with 5Loyalty.

The 5Loyalty app increases your diner’s positive feelings at purchase and looks great while doing it.

Whenever diners pay for their meal – whether that’s an order for takeout, collection, large event catering, or in-restaurant –we remind them of the loyalty rewards they’ve gained. Watching rewards pile up in the app is easy, and this loyalty card is one they can’t lose.

We combine the best contemporary app design with excellence in use. Diners will intuitively navigate the app to make orders, join a virtual table queue, settle their bill and more. You can customise rewards liberally across all purchase points. That way, you can incentivise orders of high-margin items and set minimum spend limits to maximise profit.

When diners have the freedom to order in-app and settle the bills themselves, you’ll reduce staff costs and boost table turnover. Increasing efficiency has never been so convenient. The app is the only one of its kind to offer complete integration with your POS so you can keep track of all your orders in one place.

Rewards for every order

However your customers spend.

Our stylish app allows your diners to order in a way that serves them. They’ll earn loyalty points if they eat in, collect, or choose delivery.

Loyalty rewards incentivise diners to order directly through your app rather than third-party delivery services.

Reward client loyalty

Choose your own offers

Set bonus point rewards for regulars

Allow diners to spend loyalty points like money

THE PLACE FOR ALL YOUR EVENT & MARKETING NEEDS

MARKETING & DESIGN

We have over 20 years of publishing & brand marketing experience to help take your brand or event to the next level.

We have the experience & partnership to position the right partners for your event to bring in not only funding but offer a great experience to your guests.

ARTIST & HOST BOOKING

SPONSORSHIP & EVENTS PR & ACTIVATIONS

FILM & AUDIO

We can provide filming and content creation for events, shows, advertising projects, music videos or bespoke plans due to the diverse crew experience.

We have access to some of the best talent & biggest names that REALLY deliver an experience.

World-famous recording artists, festival headliners, emerging artists, experienced presenters & hosts we can provide them all at a cost that works with your budget

We have a talented and creative team that works with some of the biggest brands out there that can support your brand or event from a PR standpoint as a joined-up approach is key.

SPONSOR & MANUFACTURER OF THE AWARDS

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog Waterloo