OnTrade Scotland Magazine - April 2024

Welcome to the April edition of OnTrade Scotland Magazine

Easter is upon us and we truly hope this is a thumper Easter weekend for everyone across the hospitality industry because god know it’s needed.

With government and local councils seeming like they are on a mission to drive every potential customer out of our city centres with insane policies like LEZ, increased parking charges and more it continues to be vial that the industry sticks together and works together to find ways to drive footfall and customers to venues by offering an experience alongside the brands and suppliers in the best way possible.

This month we also announce our trade & networking event OnTrade Connect

The event on the 30th of May is designed to offer a far more engaging experience for attendees & exhibitors as well as far better value for money for the brands to showcase their fantastic solutions to the venues and industry.

We have an amazing panel of guest speakers which include

Stephen Montgomery - SHG

Louise McLean - Signature Pubs

Michael Bergson - Bucks Bar Group

Dean Banks - Dean Banks Group

To attend or have your brand involved see the feature inside this months edition or email Haley our head of events at the details below.

As always

Stay collaborative

Stay positive

Stay together

Justin Wingate

Director at TopGunMedia

Hayley Ewing

Head of Events - events@topgunmedia.co.uk

Fiona Gauld

Production - info@topgunmedia.co.uk

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

Industry News

SCOTTISH GAME FAIR RETURNS FOR ITS 35TH YEAR

Celebrating its 35-year anniversary, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is returning to Scone Palace in Perthshire this July and is expected to bring a £5m contribution to Perth’s local economy.

Perth is one of the fastest growing cities in Scotland, with a projected growth of 25% by 20301. Helping put Perth on the map and contributing year on year to the town’s economy the SGF welcomes in excess of 30,000 visitors every year. Hailing from Scotland, England and Wales, in particular, Aberdeen, Dundee and Angus, Edinburgh and The Lothians, and Highlands and Perthshire the event is Scotland’s biggest country and game fair. It is a crucial platform for conservationists, landowners, environmentalists and educators as well as an amazing day out for families. In addition to contributing to Perth’s tourism industry the event supports jobs for 20 local contractors each year to help with the build and activation.

Championing local Scottish produce is at the event’s core, making sure visitors can indulge in the finest food and drink options that are either grown, raised or crafted in Scotland. Currently there are 88 exhibitors confirmed that champion local produce at the event and a huge number of catering options that incorporate Scottish sourced ingredients for food to eat at the show and to take home. Around £30m will be spent by visitors at the fair, buying a diverse and eclectic mix of goods, from purchases of vehicles to sporting equipment and culinary delights. The average visitor spend in 2023 was £400, which is a rise from £350 in 2022. The GWCT, which partners with the SGF, sees a six-figure sum generated from the fair to help fund research and develop game and wildlife management techniques to improve the biodiversity of the countryside.

Robin Shedden, Managing Director of Cluny Country, is marking his 35th year of exhibiting at SGF and has seen significant business growth through the event’s platform. He said: “The SGF at Scone Palace has been a firm fixture in our business calendar for the last three decades. It has been a real pleasure to watch it expand and evolve into the fantastic event that it is today and I’m very pleased that Cluny Country has been involved from the beginning. The show welcomes an excellent crowd and I’d like to extend a big thank you to all those who make the show what it is.”

In addition to the economic impact, the SGF is known as a great day out. David Gibson, Country Manager for Scotland at Stable Events who organise SGF commented: “The SGF is a social event, a great excuse to get together as a family, meet up with friends and try something new. It’s a great chance to indulge in retail therapy and enjoy a collection of likeminded brands in one place. We find visitors make a full weekend of the event, checking into nearby hotels in Perth, Meikleour, Dunkeld, Aberfeldy and Crieff.

OVER 100 INTERNATIONAL BUYERS IN EDINBURGH FOR SCOTLAND’S LARGEST GLOBAL FOOD AND DRINK TRADE EVENT

Over 100 of the world’s most influential food and drink buyers touched down in Edinburgh to meet with 150 Scottish food and drink businesses in the £15bn sector’s largest 1:1 sales meeting event.

Showcasing Scotland 2024 brings together buyers from the rest of the UK and 22 countries, including; China, United Arab Emirates, USA, South Korea, France, and Japan, for a series of speed-dating-style meetings and sector-focused tours. Showcasing Scotland is organised by Scotland Food & Drink on behalf of the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership with funding support from The Scottish Government.

The last time the event was held in 2019, Showcasing Scotland saw an excess of 2,000 business meetings take place, generating millions in new deals for the industry. There is optimism among attendees that deal value can be exceeded in 2024, providing a welcome boost to Scotland’s exports.

Showcasing Scotland forms an integral part of the market growth strand of the overarching national industry strategy, ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World.’, which is delivered by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and aims to realise a £4bn growth opportunity for the industry.

Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The sheer number of buyers attending Showcasing Scotland from every corner of the globe demonstrates the power and reputation of Scotland’s food and drink industry.

Brand News

LEWIS HAMILTON’S ALCOHOL-FREE AGAVE ‘SPIRIT’ LAUNCHES IN THE UK

Racing into the alcohol-free market, Mangrove Global are introducing the world’s first alcohol-free, agave ‘spirit’ – and the names behind this latest creation will make you thirsty with excitement.

Created by a partnership between Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton and Mexican spirits group, Casa Lumbre, Almave was launched in Mexico at the end of 2023 and is now set to hit the lips of agave lovers across the UK.

The first expression to launch here in the UK is Almave Ambar Distilled Non-Alcoholic Blue Agave Spirit, which

is the perfect sipping tipple. The liquid itself captures the authentic aromas and flavours of its key ingredient, giving tasting notes of roasted blue agave, sweet caramel and toasted wood.

Whilst tequila is Hamilton’s drink of choice, the Formula one star had been looking for a non-alcoholic drink that kept his mind clear on important days. He found there was a sea of imitations but nothing authentically agave, so he teamed up with Mexican craft spirit experts, Casa Lumbre. Combining Hamilton’s passion and determination with the expertise of Casa Lumbre’s Master Distiller and Founder Ivan Saldana – together they redefined what’s possible for Blue Agave.

Lewis Hamilton said: “There’s a huge appetite for quality alternatives for those times when people don’t want to drink alcohol but also don’t want to compromise on flavour, which is why it was important that our product includes agave to reflect the taste of conventional Tequila.

“I think it tastes amazing and what we have created is unlike anything else on the market, so I can’t wait to see what you all think.”

VERDANT GIN LIVES ON AS STARGAZEY SPIRITS ACQUIRES DUNDEE’S FIRST GIN BRAND

Verdant, the first gin to be distilled in Dundee, has been brought back to life after the distillery closed in 2023. Stargazey Spirits have stepped in to breathe life into the award-winning gin that pays homage to Dundee’s shipping and trading heritage.

Joe Barber said: “I was first attracted to Verdant because of its exceptional track record. The history and heritage of a spirit born in Dundee that was a Scottish Gin of the Year at the Gin Awards, and the sole supplier of a House of Commons Gin really interested me.

Combining his passion for the drinks industry with his ambition to build local spirit producers, Stargazey Spirits founder, Joe Barber has sought out brands to support, with credentials that he truly believed in.

“Once I had a bottle in my hands and got to taste Verdant, I realised just how much potential there was. Verdant is distilled with the highest quality ingredients and is extremely smooth. The quality of the product is incredible, and I knew I had to support the brand and help develop it further.”

Despite only initially dabbling in the drinks industry as a hobby, Joe’s passion was evident. He was invited to judge at The Gin of the Year competition run by the Craft Distilling Expo, where developed his understanding of the distillation process and spirit flavourings.

From there Joe became the assistant lead steward of the American Distilling Institutes craft spirits judging in 2018, working for them ever since.

Joe added: “There are so many opportunities for Verdant Gin. We’re excited to take the brand forward, while holding on to the true essence of this incredible spirit.”

Watt a Shot!

Bringing exciting new brands and experiences to the hospitality industry is vital and providing support via our Growth Program to brands and suppliers to help achieve this is a passion of everyone at OnTrade Scotland. One of the exciting brands we are proud to work with that is really taking this to a new level is WATTSHOT.

A new drink experience has landed in Edinburgh and is already making waves. WATTSHOT, the premium shot company, has launched its new gin shot in conjunction with Merchant Leisure Group. The launch sees WATTSHOT available to Edinburgh’s gin-lovers across five venues: The Piper’s Rest, Jackson The Tailor, The Newsroom, The Railbridge and Burgers & Beers Grillhouse.

WATTSHOT’s gin shot has been carefully engineered to leave a lasting, unique, electric tingle in the mouth. This surprise experience adds to a delicious cherry taste and floral aroma that has delivered a raft of awards from the World Gin Awards, the People’s Choice Spirits Award, The Spirits Business and more.

WATTSHOT combined a scientific approach with all-natural ingredients - a unique mix of eight rooted botanicals and cherry juice - to create this shot, using compatible molecules to remove the need for a mixer while balancing all-natural sugars, amino acids, salts, alkaloids and acids, the key factors that determine taste.

The result is something different and very special. Now anyone on a night out in Edinburgh can change the rules when it comes to drinking gin. The instructions are simple: drink chilled, take a shot, hold it in your mouth for one - two seconds, then swallow and enjoy the effect.

Of course, for those who prefer to drink their gin in a more traditional fashion, the standalone flavours of WATTSHOT’s premium gin shot also make it a versatile drink, more flavourful than other gins when enjoyed over ice, added to tonic, or mixed into a variety of delicious and stylish cocktails.

Brought to market by Scottish entrepreneur Doug Everest, WATTSHOT has been on a global journey from the glamour of Nikki Beach, Ibiza to the vibrant bars of Delhi, India, to UK festivals like Clockwork Orange and others. Doug comments, “WATTSHOT is becoming popular in different markets around the world, but it’s always been an aim of mine to launch in my home country. I’m very proud to see WATTSHOT available in Merchant Leisure’s wonderful Edinburgh venues. I’m confident people will embrace the concept of a gin shot. Once they taste that tingle there’s no going back.”

The Business Development Manager of the Merchant Leisure Group, Jade Falconer revealed, “We are thrilled to partner with WATTSHOT, offering our patrons a taste of this remarkable gin shot. We always strive to provide our customers with innovative and premium offerings, and WATTSHOT fits perfectly with our commitment to creative excellence. The craftsmanship and dedication behind WATTSHOT’s unique flavour and the electrifying tingle it leaves behind are evident, and we are delighted to be the first to introduce it to Scotland through our venues.”

Get yours here:

The Piper’s Rest, 3 Hunter Square, Old Town

Jackson The Tailor, 5-11 Leith Street, New Town

The Newsroom, 5-11 Leith Street, New Town

The Railbridge, 4 Newhalls Road, South Queensferry

Burgers & Beers Grillhouse, 192a High Street, Old Town WATTSHOT has plans for a full range of premium shots. To kickstart this revolution anyone enjoying a night out in Edinburgh can now change the rules when it comes to drinking gin.

MULTIPLE AWARD WINNING CHERRY SHOT

Buckfast original

250ml / 15% vol

Red wine based aperitif with added caffeine.

Buckfast and lemonade

250ml / 5% vol

Red wine based aperitif with added caffeine, mixed with lemonade. Best served chilled.

On rade

THURSDAY 30TH MAY

On rade

OnTrade Scotland & our partners are proud to invite you to THE hospitality sector networking & trade event that is actually designed to connect people in the industry in a better way.

We at OnTrade Scotland are hosting OnTrade Connect - the newest and most engaging hospitality and networking trade event.

The event will be held at Clockwise Offices Savoy Tower in Glasgow on Thursday 30th May between 5pm & 8pm.

There will be a variety of exhibitors from brands, suppliers and venues from across the industry with our main focus being to connect in a better way, food, live entertainment.

We have guest speakers from true industry leaders like:

Stephen Montgomery - Scottish Hospitality Group

Louise MacLean - Business Development Director of Signature Pubs Group

Michael Bergson - Owner of Buck’s Bar Group

Dean Banks - Chef & Fine Dining Restraunteur

Each of the panel will be giving valuable insite and perspective on the industry from their standpoint and experience and discussing how we move forward together.

If you would like to exhibit or attend please email events@topgunmedia.co.uk.

Thank you we look forward to welcoming you.

JAMESON LAUNCHES CONNECTS F.C.

As proud Official Partner of the English Football League (EFL), Jameson is introducing Connects FC, an initiative designed to leverage the transformative power of football to create a community of like-minded people.

Over 25 million people across the UK, from all walks of life, have reported instances of feeling disconnected from society , and Jameson, a brand that has always been committed to making the world a more welcoming place, is stepping up to help unite people spanning multiple generations.

Connects FC will see Jameson bring to life a series of vibrant and passionate events in the heart of football communities up and down the country. Whether it’s meeting a club legend, enjoying a behindthe-scenes stadium tour, participating in an away-day watch-party, or simply meeting down your local club to have a coffee and swap stories about the game or club you love, Jameson is opening the doors to anyone who fancies it. At Connects FC, everyone is welcome.

To launch this new and exciting initiative, Jameson is proud to team up with the EFL’s charitable arm, the EFL Trust. Jameson will donate £2,500 to each EFL Community Club Organisation who participates in the Connects FC programme. The fund is in place to support and empower these clubs to develop further community outreach programmes and events that bring people together.

Jameson is also thrilled to welcome a new ambassador, EFL legend, Clinton Morrison, who will be joining the Connects FC team. He will jump into the thick of it by engaging with fans, stirring up banter, fostering connections and sharing his own personal stories about the beautiful game.

Josh McCarthy, Brand Director for Pernod Ricard UK, comments: “‘Nothing brings people together like football, especially here in the UK! That unifying force of football aligns perfectly with our Jameson brand values of togetherness and fun, and through Connects FC we can’t wait to bring those to life. Our collaboration with the EFL Trust on this initiative underscores our commitment to those values by getting out there to create lasting connections within communities.”

Connects FC isn’t just about watching from the sidelines. Jameson will be working with EFL clubs and the EFL Trust to call on volunteers from local communities. Jameson employees here in the UK will also be rolling up their sleeves, diving into the craic, and building connections that’ll last far longer than a halftime pie.

Take fast payments, seamlessly

Take rapid card payments, get your money faster and boost your revenue with powerful tools.

As a proud partner of OnTrade Scotland, I’m pleased to be able to support many of the top hospitality venues in Scotland and beyond. If you would like to speak with me about our integrated payments, Bookings system or schedule in a demo to discuss things in more detail, I’d love to hear from you!

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.

The REDprint for new plans

Glasgow is set to welcome a world-class new entertainment hub and events venue as Forrest Hotels unveil plans to transform the decaying North Rotunda.

The owners of the multi-award-winning Radisson Red hotel bought the building in June 2023 and plan to invest £15million to transform the old building over three levels into ‘The Roundhouse’ on the ground floor and ‘The Rotunda’, on the upper floors, while carefully restoring and enhancing the historic features of the original structure.

Forrest has taken inspiration from Nashville’s world-famous live music circuit to design a stunning new ground floor space, designed with live performance in mind – with two upper floors created for hosting weddings, conferences and events.

The versatile new venue with state-of-the-art bespoke sound and lighting systems will feature a new extension and external stairwell, allowing the building to meet modern building regulations and standards.

The stunning design preserves and showcases the original features, like the cast iron and glass cupola and original round open-plan floors.

Keith Vallance from Forrest Hotels will oversee the development. He said: “Sadly the old building is in a sorry state, but we are prepared to invest heavily in order to restore this architectural gem, bringing a new generation through its doors. Our proposals will create 60 much needed new jobs for the city.

“We will retain the open plan round floors, allowing the unique design of the original building to take centre stage.

“We have carefully created a sympathetic external stairwell and extension to bring us into line with modern building regulations.

“We see the Rotunda as an important part of Glasgow’s heritage which we are keen to preserve and enhance, while creating a brand new venue to showcase the best of

music and live events from Glasgow and beyond.

“We have taken inspiration from some of the world’s best music spaces, especially the vibrant Nashville scene.”

The new incarnation will be made up of two distinct venues – The Roundhouse on the ground floor and The Rotunda on the two floors above.

Keith said: “Glasgow’s newest live music and entertainment venue will be created on the ground floor of the building.

“The internal layout of the venue will be flexible and capable of hosting different events of 250-500 people.”

There has already been strong support for the plans from both the SEC Campus – the North Rotunda building is an iconic part of the area’s famous skyline – and from Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.

Billy McFadyen, Director of Finance and Development, SEC, said: “We very much welcome the Forrest Group proposals to enhance the North Rotunda and provide a much needed destination venue to the wider SEC Campus. The high quality design creating flexible function and entertainment space will provide excellent facilities that will augment our world class campus.”

“The SEC Campus is just a stone’s throw away and as we know, this wider area has enormous potential for further regeneration and economic activity.

“This, coupled with the creation of much-needed new jobs, is why we must welcome investments that will further enhance our reputation as a leading city for events, entertainment and culture.”

The Roundhouse and Rotunda is intended to launch early in 2026 subject to planning consents and statutory approvals.

A guide to the new UK Geographical Indications scheme

The host of an evening dinner party, frantically searching their local grocery store for something unique to serve, might find inspiration in products labelled “Orkney Beef” and “Orkney Scottish Island Cheddar” both backed by the new UK Geographical Indications scheme logo. This is the logo that all UK producers of products registered with the scheme must use on their labelling and packaging. It replaced the EU Geographical Indications scheme after Brexit.

Geographical indications (GIs) are protected names that producers can use to associate their eligible products with a particular geographical region of origin. Perhaps the most famous GI is “Champagne” –sparkling white wine from the Champagne region of France. Closer to home, only Scottish whisky can be “Scotch Whisky”.

Each GI has its own eligibility criteria depending on the type of product. For example, Orkney Beef, as the name implies, “is derived from cattle born and reared in the Orkney Isles and which were slaughtered and dressed in Orkney”. Cattle born in Orkney but slaughtered in East Lothian, would not qualify. GIs can range considerably in scale of the region to which they are connected. Only

those pork pies made following a particular traditional recipe within a certain vicinity of Melton Mowbray can use the GI “Melton Mowbray Pork Pie”. Conversely, the “English Regional Wine” GI can be used for most wines produced in England.

GIs can be a valuable IP asset to producers. It allows them to demonstrate, with a level of official recognition, that their product is of quality that is generally accepted by consumers as distinctive. This distinctiveness can have great commercial value to producers who want their product to appeal to customers in the market for something separate and apart from the generic. It will also enable those in the licensed trade to demonstrate the provenance of the products

they are using across their venues, which is something that we know consumers are increasingly interested in.

The question is, does the Scotch Whisky GI indicate, with the right level of specificity, the distinctiveness of the geographical region of origin of each whisky from Scotland? As with wines, beers, and other alcoholic drinks, there are many different types of Scotch whiskies that are associated with a particular region. According to the Scotch Whisky Association, there are five Scotch Whisky regions –Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. According to the association’s website, single malt whiskies from each region have a distinct flavour that sets them apart from the other regions. A consumer who buys a bottle of Scotch whisky bearing the Scotch Whisky GI can be assured, at the very least, that this whisky was produced in Scotland. However, can said consumer be offered the same assurance, equivalent to that offered by a GI, that the whisky originates from the specific whisky region it claims to be from?

To some extent it can. Regulation 10(1) of Scotch Whisky Regulations 2009 says that a whisky cannot be labelled in a way that includes the name of a region unless the whisky has been distilled in that region. This means that if a bottle of Scotch whisky has “Speyside” written somewhere on the bottle or packaging, then it can generally be safely assumed that it was distilled in that region. However, compliance with a regulatory structure alone does not amount to an IP asset in the same way a logo-backed GI does. The average Scotch whisky consumer is unlikely to be aware of the UK GI scheme or the Scotch Whisky Regulations. Compliance with the former however permits a producer to use a recognisable logo with goodwill attached to it. Compliance with the latter, does not. Since a producer can only use those GIs which are registered within the scheme, it would not be lawful to use a “Speyside Scotch Whisky” GI.

New GIs are regularly added to the UK GI scheme to reflect consumer habits and recognise distinct types of products. Last year, Single Malt Welsh Whisky was added to

the UK GI register. If Welsh Whisky can be said to have a distinctiveness that warrants its own GI, a similar argument could be made for each of the whisky regions to have their own GI under the UK scheme.

If producers of Scotch whisky could use GIs bespoke to their region of origin, more specific than that of simply Scotland, consumers in the market for the distinctiveness of that region, can be offered assurance, more readily marketable than simple regulatory compliance, that the whisky they are buying really does come from their preferred region.

KENNETH MACLEOD, SENIOR SOLICITOR, ANDERSON STRATHERN

INDOOR - OUTDOOR

Suppliers of Bespoke Banquette and booth seating

Manufactured in our Glasgow workshop to a very high standard Suppliers of quality contract indoor and outdoor furniture Recovery and polishing service

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

Boat Yard Lochwinnoch

BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog Waterloo

BrewDog Waterloo

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.

SPONSORSHIP & EVENTS

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

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

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.

PR & ACTIVATIONS

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.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING

BUSINESSES ACROSS

SCOTLAND

EPOS SYSTEMS

HAND HELD ORDERING

IN APP ORDERING

CREDIT CARD TERMINALS

EVENT HIRE OPTIONS

FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE

EXISTING CUSTOMERS

OUR PACKAGES

ARGYLLSYSTEMS.CO.UK

£ +VAT 995

Perfect for any startup business but also fully scalable and can be added to as your business grows.

• 11.6” touch screen till

• EPOS software

• Product & menu setup

• Built in Thermal Receipt Printer

• Cash drawer

• On-site installation

• Setup Fee £395

£

COMPLETE PACKAGE +VAT 1195

Ideal for established operations, our Complete Package is fully adaptable and expandable as your business evolves.

• 15” touch screen till

• EPOS software

• Product & menu setup

• Thermal Receipt Printer

• Cash drawer

• On-site installation

• Setup Fee £395

SCAN ME

THEY USED US, WHY DON’T YOU

AWARD WINNING SOUND & LIGHTING

RECENT INSTALLATIONS

CROMLIX HOUSE HOTEL: PERTHSHIRE

AUGUST HOUSE: GLASGOW

MALO: GLASGOW

BUCK’S BAR: EDINBURGH

AUGUST HOUSE

BUCKS BAR

CROMLIX HOUSE

“ALEXA L AUNCH GO RADIO”

LISTEN TO THE BREAKFAST SHOW

LIVE WEEKDAYS 6AM -10AM WITH CROFTY & GRADO