food and drink – Page 19 – The NEN

SAVE OUR PUBS!

Local pubs deliver invaluable socio-economic value, ministers must act to save them, says new report

Government must give pubs which serve as the beating hearts of their communities greater support with tax rebates to safeguard the nation’s locals as vital social lifelines, a report from the think-tank Localis has urged.

In a report issued yesterday entitled ‘Inn-Valuable: unlocking the socio-economic potential of our nation’s pubs’, Localis also argued that a minister for pubs role be reinstated to join up help for the country’s pubs sector – which cumulatively supports 936,000 jobs, generates £28bn in GVA to the economy and delivers £15bn in tax revenues to the Exchequer annually.

According to polling undertaken by YouGov for the report, 75 percent of people felt the impact of pubs to community life to be positive. When asked if pubs are important in bringing people together, more than four-in-five (81 percent) of British adults agreed they are, with just 14 percent feeling that they are not.

Polling carried out for the report showed 68 percent of British adults felt that pubs help combat loneliness in their local area. Among pro-community activities supported by local pubs, nearly half (44%) of people were aware of pub events that bring the community together, a quarter (25%) knew of local pubs that supported charitable causes and 17 percent knew of local pubs that supported vulnerable people in their area.

The research identified from case studies taken pubs across the country some dominant themes on how the sector supports local people and communities, namely by:

combatting isolation
supporting local causes
reflecting local culture
bringing local business together
supporting community through generations.

Pollsters also found that among social uses of pubs in the last three months, more than half of the population (51%) had met a friend in one, while nearly two-in-five (37%) of people had visited the pub to meet up with family, a quarter (25%) had enjoyed Sunday lunch in one and 10% of the public had attended a pub-held birthday party in that timespan. In addition, six percent of the public had used pubs for dating purposes and 13% watched a sporting event.

A key recommendation of the report calls for the re-establishment of a Minister for Pubs post to co-ordinate a cross-government taskforce responsible for long-term strategy for the British pubs sector and to lead on help with tax and regulation, alongside an emergency fund for energy bill support.

The report authors also make the case for business rates rebates for those pubs which take on socially valuable roles such as foodbanks or in providing warm spaces for vulnerable people, with a call for a modest £4m cashpot to help 1,000 pubs to diversify at a cost of a mere £4,000 per pub.

Localis head of research, Joe Fyans, said: “Across Britain, pubs have consistently played a pivotal role in knitting communities together and promoting social cohesion.

“Pubs are the beating heart of many communities, playing multifaceted roles in local daily life. This is why the decline of pubs is cause for great concern. With each closure, both tangible and intangible voids are left behind.

“The lessons are clear: pubs, in all their forms and across all locations, remain integral to British social cohesion as hubs of activity, community, and social capital. This makes their presence all the more crucial as community safety nets and beacons of light, offering a lifeline hope for many people looking for a real sense of local belonging.”

Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: ““The stories highlighted in this report truly are just a snapshot of the hugely positive impact pubs have in communities across the country every single day.

“There are few businesses that can say they add both social and economic value and pubs are delivering that value in neighbourhoods from Lanarkshire to Liskeard, and everywhere in between. Pubs provide solace to people in tough times and a place to celebrate in others and to lose them would have a serious impact on people’s lives.

“With closures continuing to rise and pubs under threat from further duty and business rates cost hikes we hope the Government will seriously consider the proposals put forward by this report so the foundations can be laid to help pubs continue to do this brilliant work in their communities long into the future.”

Becky Barnett who runs The Lamb Inn in Swadlincote, which features in the report, said: “We support our local community in a number of ways, including offering free food and drinks to people on Wednesday mornings. People can come into the pub, have a free hot meal, and in winter, sit by our log fire in comfy chairs, no questions asked.

“When times are tough, we want to be a place where people can come for help and local people have been incredibly grateful of us opening our doors at no cost. At the same time, we also face challenges with high energy bills and other rising costs so it’s a scary time for our business as well, we want to continue to provide a non-judgemental warm space for people but we’re facing our own difficulties as well.”

Pub is The Hub chief executive, John Longden, said: “Pubs and publicans are the heroes at the heart of community life that provide essential local services and activities that create social value.

“They are a lifeline for many rural areas providing vital local services and activities such as village stores, allotments and community cafes as well as offering a safe space to tackle the major societal issue of loneliness.

“Pub is The Hub now estimates 1,000 more pubs and local areas could benefit from services if they can be directly supported in the future to diversify.”

CAMRA Guide highlights pubs and brewery numbers across Scotland

The Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the UK’s best-selling beer and pub guide – is celebrating its 51st edition with a striking cover and a foreword supplied by Iron Maiden’s Bruce Dickinson.

The Guide, which surveys 4,500 of the best pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinker’s guide for those seeking the best pints in the nation’s pubs.

Dickinson’s foreword shines a spotlight on the cultural tradition of pubs within the United Kingdom, the importance of protecting the heritage, charm and welcoming nature of pubs and clubs, and not taking them for granted.

The Good Beer Guide, which is published annually by CAMRA, helps beer lovers take a barometer of the local beer scene.

As well as covering 306 of the very best pubs across Aberdeen and Grampian, Argyll and the Isles, Ayrshire and Arran, Borders, Dumfries and Galloway, Edinburgh and the Lothians, Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley, Highlands and the Western Isles, Kingdom of Fife, Loch Lomond, Stirling, the Trossachs, the Northern Isles and Tayside, it keeps track of brewery numbers, and notes a net loss of four breweries across the counties.

The story is the same across the UK, as although the Guide records 82 new breweries, 142 have closed. This net loss of 60 breweries is a worrying reminder that a lack of support from the Government means dire consequences for local businesses, in the wake of a cost-of-business crisis and the constant pressure of fuel bills.

This year’s Guide contains 910 newly featured pubs, which is a fantastic prospect for the pub trade which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent years following the pandemic and rising fuel costs.

The trade also faces an impending threat from unlawful demolitions, which CAMRA has declared a ‘national scandal’ in the wake of the demolition of the Crooked House in Himley.

CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “The last few years have been an incredibly difficult time for the industry, and we need more support than ever before to keep our nation’s pubs and breweries open and thriving.

“I’d encourage everyone to use this year’s Guide to visit the very best pubs and breweries across the UK and support them for generations to come.”

The Good Beer Guide, which reviews over 4,500 pubs across the UK, is the definitive beer drinkers’ guide to the very best pints in a variety of styles of pubs to suit individual tastes. Compiled by thousands of independent volunteers, it helps identify significant trends and themes locally and nationally.

To order The Good Beer Guide 2024, visit https://shop1.camra.org.uk/product/the-good-beer-guide-2024/

Only way is up as Port of Leith Distillery project completes

Whisky fans are invited to scale new heights as the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith, opens its tour bookings and reveals first-look images of the finished interior ahead of opening to the public on Wednesday October 11th.

More than a decade since the ‘pipe-dream’ idea was first conceived by wine merchant Ian Stirling and finance director Paddy Fletcher over a dram in Milroy’s whisky bar, London, the £12m nine-storey distillery is complete and ready to welcome visitors.

Bookings are now live for Port of Leith’s tour and tasting experience, with tours running 12-8pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturdays and 12pm-5pm on Sundays.

Over the course of 90 minutes fans will be guided through the story of the distillery’s unlikely conception, fill their own miniature bottle of new make spirit and taste their way through the distillery’s production process in its purpose built Quality Control Tasting Laboratory.

Reservations are now also available for the top floor mezzanine bar, also opening on October 11th, a one of a kind space boasting panoramic 360 views over the city, a floor to ceiling back whisky bar and a menu of small plates designed to showcase Scotland’s world class ingredients.

Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Port of Leith Distillery said: “Building a distillery of our own has been an ambition of Paddy and mine for over 10 years so to see the project finally come to fruition is a surreal moment for us.

“We never set out to build a vertical distillery – the shape and size of the building is a product of the tiny site we were able to secure. We wedged our distillery tower into Edinburgh’s historic harbour to make our building as accessible as possible to people who, like us, love whisky.

“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the Port of Leith tour as special as we possibly can and look forward to welcoming fans across the globe to a whisky experience like no other.”

Port of Leith is set to be the biggest tourist attraction to be built in Leith for decades, with a projected 25,000 visitors in its first year, increasing to 160,000 by 2025.

Paddy Fletcher, Co-Founder of The Port of Leith Distillery added: “Coming from Edinburgh, we were always confused as to why there were no single malt distilleries operating in the city.

“Being able to build something modern and different has been an enormous treat; hopefully it will encourage people to take a second look at Scotch whisky as there’s huge amounts of innovation and excitement going on within the industry.”

The distillery is creating up to 50 long term local jobs, with the capacity to produce one million bottles of whisky per year.

Priced at £26 per person, Port of Leith Distillery tours will be available from Wednesday 11th of October. They can be booked online here.

The Port of Leith Distillery Bar can be booked separately online here.

UKBG’s European quality food and drink celebration in Edinburgh

The UK Bartenders Guild has announced a host of activities aimed at raising awareness of European quality products and the Mediterranean ritual of aperitivo with British bartenders and consumers.

The programme, delivered by the Guild, together with the beneficiaries of the Mediterranean Aperitivo Programme (MAP), champions quality European food and drink producers whilst aiming to educate and engage the UK’s hospitality professionals about this age-old lifestyle.

The campaign heads to Edinburgh’s award-winning bar Hey Palu on October 4th with a masterclass hosted by Elon Soddu of London’s Amaro Bar. Elon will take attendees on a journey to learn about the simple joy of the time-honoured ritual of the Mediterranean aperitivo.

The masterclass will showcase unique ingredients sourced from Italy and Greece to demonstrate the quality of European produce and the perfect moment of consumption to enjoy them. The masterclasses will include tastings of Vermouth di Torino PGI, Pecorino Toscano PDO, PGI Costa d’Amalfi Lemon and Olives from Greece.

The Mediterranean Aperitivo Programme (MAP) is a project that sees the participation of European food and drink producers dedicated to communicating the various benefits of a Mediterranean lifestyle and the ritual of drinking an aperitivo to consumers and hospitality professionals in three target countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.

The programme of masterclasses and events around the UK began in September in London with further classes taking place in Southampton, Leeds and Edinburgh. They are open for all UKBG members to register for and attend and are completely free to join.

They include tastings, demonstrations and networking opportunities. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis however members can still attend the sessions via a live stream if all on-site places have been allocated. Membership to the UKBG is free via the website https://ukbartendersguild.co.uk/.

Mediterranean Aperitivo Week will follow, and is due to take place throughout the UK between 23rd and 29th October. A consumer awareness campaign, the week is designed to highlight European-quality products through the ritual of an aperitivo, which began as a social phenomenon to end one’s work day and begin the evening. To this day, aperitivo is still an integral part of Mediterranean culture.

Partner venues who participate in Mediterranean Aperitivo Week will receive complimentary stock and are asked to create a signature serve to promote throughout the week to visitors.

Among the products included, Vermouth di Torino PGI is world-renowned for the tradition and history of its production; an aromatised wine created in the 18th century at the foot of the Alps.

The Consorzio del Vermouth di Torino is the ruler of the world’s most important Vermouth, the oldest and the only one with a protected designation of origin. Based in Turin, Italy, the consortium aims to promote and protect the traditional production methods and quality standards of Vermouth from the region.

Pecorino Toscano PDO is considered one of the best Italian specialty foods; produced exclusively with whole sheep’s milk from the region of Tuscany.

The Consortium of Pecorino Toscano PDO is dedicated to the upholding of the tradition and quality of this Tuscan cheese. Its main objective is to safeguard the authenticity and geographical origin of Pecorino Toscano PDO. Through strict regulations and rigorous inspections, the Consortium ensures that each wheel is crafted following time-honoured methods and using local sheep’s milk.

This dedication to excellence and preservation of heritage has earned Pecorino Toscano PDO worldwide recognition and admiration from cheese connoisseurs and culinary enthusiasts alike.

Costa d’Amalfi Lemons PGI are defined by their intense aroma, a tapered shape, a juicy pulp and almost no seeds. Today, about 100,000 tonnes are harvested every year – with each and every one hand-picked.

OP Costieragrumi De Riso represents the Costa d’Amalfi PGI Lemon. The area of the Amalfi Coast, recognized by Unesco as a World Heritage Site, includes the hanging gardens that stretch from the sea to the slopes of the Lattari mountains.

The cooperative was established to give a voice to many small producers by helping to market lemons, providing phytosanitary assistance, and establishing a Product Specification. Doing so allowed everyone to follow the same rules regarding fertilisation resulting in a genuine product which is unique thanks to its edible peel.

Lastly, the olives are grown in Greece. Recognised worldwide for their quality, given by specific climatic and territorial characteristics, their natural, balanced taste and good texture can be attributed to the simplicity of their production.

The Agri-food Partnership of the Region of Western Greece is a non-profit company whose members include public and private sector stakeholders. Its cluster consists of about 100 partners. The main partner is the Region of Western Greece, who owns 49% of the shares and chairs the Board of Directors.

This network of the agri-food chain in Western Greece tries to support communities, so they can produce heritage varieties, and, therefore, the Agri-Food Partnership is the Region of Western Greece main tool to promote the agricultural products in national and international markets.

The chosen charity partner for the project this year is The Drinks Trust. The Drinks Trust is a charity dedicated to the drinks and hospitality workforce. It strives to empower our industry people through services designed to assist financially, restore well-being and develop skills, and to do so with compassion and respect.

In doing so, The Drinks Trust seeks to create an equitable industry where opportunities to thrive are open to all.

£1 from every Mediterranean Aperitivo drink served during Mediterranean Aperitivo Week will be donated to The Drinks Trust.

For more information, or to nominate your venue to take part in Mediterranean Aperitivo Week, please contact Adamo Varbaro at map@ukbartendersguild.co.uk.

Savour the season at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre launches festive restaurant events

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is tantalising tastebuds this Christmas with its great-value family dining experiences in its Edinburgh store, including a magical Santa’s Breakfast and its much-loved Festive Afternoon Tea.

Santa’s Breakfast is a great way to enjoy some magical time with Santa and fuel up for the festivities. It’s a chance for children aged 3 to 10 to take part in activities, get into the Christmas spirit, sing along to Christmas classics and receive a gift to take home and put under the tree.

Families in Edinburgh can expect festive entertainment from Santa and his elves and a hearty breakfast. Children can choose from a traditional breakfast of pork or Quorn sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown and baked beans, or opt for a breakfast roll. All breakfasts are served with a choice of apple juice, orange juice or water.

Adults will also get a choice of breakfast options, including a traditional breakfast, vegetarian breakfast or three item breakfast roll, each served with a hot beverage.

Indulge this Christmas with Dobbies’ Festive Afternoon Tea offering, great for couples, friends and families alike. Enjoy this classic British tradition and tuck into three tiers of seasonal bites to jingle the tastebuds.

Expect all the favourite elements of an afternoon tea with a festive twist. Indulge in salmon, cream cheese and chive, and honey roast ham and mustard finger sandwiches in a mix of white and grain bread. Savour each mouthful of Cornish clotted cream and jam scones and tuck into a delicious selection of sweet treats, including blackberry delice, fruit and cream tart, carrot cake and a mini macaroon.

Children can also enjoy a mix of finger sandwiches, filled with ham, jam and tuna. In addition to Dobbies’ famous scones, kids will munch on Rudolph’s favourite snacks – carrot and cucumber sticks.

Adults will get the choice of unlimited tea and coffee refills, and children will receive a fruit juice. There will be additional extras for customers looking to wrap themselves in all the festivities, including prawn marie rose vol au vents, savoury cheese vol au vents and pigs in blankets with gravy and cranberry sauce. Drinks can also be upgraded for speciality coffees and teas, and if you fancy popping a bottle, there is an upgrade option for Prosecco.

Sarah Murray, who develops Dobbies’ festive line up, wants to make this year one for customers in Edinburgh to remember. She said: “Restaurant experiences at Dobbies are a chance to spend time with the family in a relaxed setting that involves zero cooking.

“Our Santa’s Breakfast and Festive Afternoon Tea events in Edinburgh are a great way to feel festive as Christmas approaches. The restaurant team thoroughly enjoy hosting these events and can’t wait to welcome customers.”

Santa’s Breakfast runs from 25 November through to 24 December and is priced from £9 per adult and £13.99 per child.

Festive Afternoon Tea experiences run from 1 November and is priced at £8.50 per child and £13.50 per adult.

For more information about Dobbies’ festive culinary experiences and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

HIT Scotland invites Scottish hospitality talent to unlock potential through scholarships programme

Leading industry charity, Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is encouraging applications from Scottish hospitality workers and students for its 2024 scholarship programme.

2024 will see the charity celebrate its 30^th anniversary and award its 7000^thscholarship – it awards over 200 scholarships annually. A HIT Scotland scholarship is a learning experience designed to provide new skills and knowledge, stimulate best practice and fresh ways of thinking. Scholarships vary year to year depending on what the industry is looking for – this year, it will offer a mix of scholarships across three categories: business, operational and inspirational.

To celebrate the 30^th anniversary milestone, the charity is presenting three new bespoke inspirational scholarships – these will expand on their usual inspirational scholarships, offering a bigger and more prestigious experience for the recipients.

This year also sees HIT Scotland honouring the memory of great service to the industry with the new Lisa Wishart scholarship. Presented to someone in the licensed trade, this development opportunity has been kindly funded by donations from the recent Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, and will be awarded to someone who shows the same passion for the industry as Lisa did.

HIT Scotland is also spearheading the inaugural Müller Milk & Ingredients scholarships, which are recognising the huge talent within the Scottish council catering services.

Applications close midnight on Sunday 19^th November 2023, with applicants invited to choose one scholarship that will help aid their personal development within their hospitality role. Anyone working in or studying towards a career in Scottish hospitality can apply.

David Cochrane, HIT Scotland Chief Executive, commented: “We want applicants to really show us their passion for our industry and demonstrate how the experience will help them. For many years now, our scholarships have been empowering inspirational development in Scottish hospitality, helping both individuals and the sector at large grow.

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the fundraising events that allow us to keep providing these development opportunities for the industry. Thanks also go to The Savoy Educational Trust, The Crerar Trust, The MacRobert Trust, Diageo Learning for Life, and Hickory for their generous support of our scholarship programme.”

Angela Vickers, chair of HIT Scotland and CEO of Apex Hotels, added: “It is exciting to be offering three inspirational scholarships to celebrate HIT Scotland’s 30^th year – these will offer a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for the recipients.

“We cannot wait to hear from the ambitious, passionate individuals working and learning in Scottish hospitality and help them achieve their goals.”

To find out more about the scholarships HIT Scotland offer and apply, visit the website: hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships-hit

Barburrito celebrates Freshers in style with FREE bedroom makeovers

Authentic Mexican street food eatery Barburrito is getting Fresher’s celebrations off to a stylish start by offering FREE bedroom makeovers worth over £1000!

To win a university bedroom makeover students are asked to post a photo of themselves on Instagram featuring any Barburrito logo and tag them @barburritouk by October 15.

The winners will be selected at random and will get a cool Barburrito branded bedroom makeover or a food drop to their dorm for up to ten people. The makeover is top secret but think Barburrito branded everything! From bed sheets to taco shaped neon lights and everything in between.

As well as the amazing makeover prize Barburrito has launched their own Food Van offering free Loaded Nachos, (students need to download the app to receive the offers), and games with other freebies to be won such as free tacos, free sides, free desserts. The Food Van will visit Manchester University on October 3, Nottingham University on October 4 and Edinburgh University on October 5.

For Manchester students, Barburrito will also be having some fun at The Trafford Centre, taking part in a student lock-in on the evening October 3 from 6pm, with free samples, games, drinks and a Mariachi band.

Students can bag the freebies and perks through Barburrito’s app including a £1 burrito exclusively for students that are new to the app by October 8, free burrito on their birthday, access to the Barburrito loyalty programme (collect 4 stamps for free side/dessert, collect 9 for free burrito) as well as students always getting 20% off everything!

And to kick off the Fresher’s celebrations there will be a DJ event at their Glasgow Queen Street store Friday September 29 from 7pm. Everyone is welcome where there will be games with prizes, free food and entertainment.

Sophie Green, the Marketing Manager of Barburrito, said: “As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of new students, we are thrilled to create vibrant and exciting activations featuring games and free food. We can’t wait to warmly welcome everyone and make their journey with us truly unforgettable!”

Barburrito has just launched their exciting and innovative new menu influenced by some of Mexico’s most popular dishes.

The menu features the introduction of Tortas, Tacos, a new range of salsas as well as lots of recipe improvements including their cheese sauce, guacamole, pink onions and many more.

Introducing the first new dish, the Torta. A light, sweet bun is filled with all favourites (think Barbacoa Beef, Smoky Chipotle salsa, cheese, slaw, jalapeños and sour cream) – as you always choose the fillings at Barburrito.

Another new addition to the menu is Tacos, bursting with authentic flavours. You create your own tacos by choosing what goes inside but think tender Pork Carnitas nestled in warm, soft tortillas, loaded with cheese, lettuce, pink onions and a new Mango & Habanero salsa. Each bite is a fiesta of flavours as they use fresh ingredients and traditional spices to create a truly unforgettable experience.

Whether you’re a fan of classic favourites like Barburrito’s Grilled Chicken or adventurous enough to try their vegan This™ Isn’t Chicken, they’ve got something for everyone.

Customers can download the app by searching ‘Barburrito Rewards’ on the app store, where they can get exclusive access to the student discount and the loyalty stamp cards. Getting three stamps just for downloading.

For full terms & conditions please see: https://barburrito.co.uk/terms-conditions/

Edinburgh cook school shortlisted in UK Food and Travel Magazine Awards

Vote for Edinburgh New Town Cookery School!

Edinburgh New Town Cookery School (ENTCS) has been shortlisted in the UK Cookery School of the Year category in the 2023 Food and Travel Magazine Reader Awards.

The school needs your vote to put Scotland and ENTCS on the map! Facing stiff competition from English-based other schools, the winners are those voted for by the public.

The voting link is here: https://foodandtravel.com/awards

Principal, Fiona Burrell comments: “We are just completely thrilled to be shortlisted for this award, particularly as we are up against great schools from all over the UK. Please vote for our school and team after their hard work over the last year and help to bring this award home to Scotland.

“For over ten years we have trained professional chefs, chalet cooks and keen amateurs and we employ a hugely talented team of teachers. This award would be the icing on the cake for 2023.”

ENTCS is a professional cookery school based in Edinburgh’s New Town. The school was founded by Fiona Burrell, formerly Principal of Leith’s School of Food and Wine. She began her career in Edinburgh and has been teaching professional cookery courses for over thirty years.

With courses on offer from one day tasters for amateurs, to six month professional courses, many graduates have gone on to work in some the UK’s top kitchens.

Asian Restaurant Awards 2023

On Monday (18th September), the 7th Annual Asian Restaurant Awards Scotland, held at The Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh by the Asian Catering Foundation, saw over 70 of Scotland’s most loved Asian Restaurants and Takeaways battle it out for awards decided by over 10, 000 people’s votes.

This much anticipated night, hosted by BBC News anchor Samantha Simmonds, was a celebration of some of the best restaurants serving some of the finest food in Scotland.

Speaking following event, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “The work these restaurants are doing in challenging circumstances is exemplary and I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to them all.

“I’d like to thank all winners and nominees for their participation in the night. We were treated to a great night with fantastic performances and food which showed the diversity of our wonderful catering industry. I would also like to put on record my thanks to ACF Chairman Yawar Khan for organising the event, in addition to the staff at the Sheraton Grand Hotel who helped the night run smoothly.”

The Lothians Labour list MSP also expressed concern at the lack of government support to tackle the long-term problems affecting the industry: ““Asian restaurants are a crucial part of the hospitality scene in Scotland, with their cuisine enjoyed by thousands of patrons every week.

“However, the challenges these restaurants face are unprecedented. Just as they were recovering from damage the Covid-19 pandemic inflicted on their businesses, they were struck with a drastic rise in energy prices and a cost-of-living crisis.”

“It’s also no secret that hospitality venues have struggled with staffing for a long time now.

“The UK and Scottish Governments must act now to support these businesses on issues old and new and ensure these restaurants and takeaways continue to thrive for many years to come.”

Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Café upgrades the visitor experience

Workplace design and management consultancy, Space Solutions, has refreshed Edinburgh Zoo’s Penguins Café to enhance the customer experience.

Overlooking Penguins Rock, Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool, the Penguins Café is a busy eatery at Edinburgh Zoo. Challenged with a tired and inefficient space, SPACE upgraded the café to accommodate its large, diverse clientele while meeting the ambitious timescales of completing the project ahead of the opening weekend of school summer holidays.

The SPACE Design & Build team undertook the design services and fit-out, collaborating with graphic designer Heather Cumming who handled the updated branding, from the new logo to menu boards and wall murals.

Transforming the black and white space with bright, vibrant colours, the refreshed Penguins Café mirrors the excitement of visiting the adjoining penguin enclosure, with penguin facts featuring around the space.

Following a review of the space and customer needs, SPACE retained many of the existing features and furniture to reduce waste, including reupholstering the existing banquette seating for reuse.

To seamlessly manage the high foot traffic, SPACE designed a two-colour flooring system, with blue areas designated for highlighted key customer touch points, such as servery counter and seating areas, while neutral beige trails encourage movement. Cleanable, soft seating and coverings as well as acoustic rafts suspended from the ceiling were incorporated to better the acoustics in the active space.

Isobel Jones, Senior Interior Designer at SPACE, said: “We are thrilled to have worked with Edinburgh Zoo to refresh the popular Penguins Café. Our design has enabled the space to feel bigger and work more efficiently for both customers and staff.

“At the heart of the café remains an appreciation of the penguins, enabling visitors to retain the excitement of visiting Penguins Rock while improving their dining experience.”

Beccy Angus, Head of Discovery Learning at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, commented: “Overlooking Penguins Rock, Penguins Café is situated in the heart of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo.

“The café is an essential part of the customer experience and the refreshed design will ensure all of our visitors continue to have a memorable time at the zoo which helps inspire them to protect, value and love nature.”

Space Solutions has been creating award-winning interiors since 1997. The business continues to develop the concept of workplace consultancy and has worked with major public & private organisations across the UK. The business has locations in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee Livingston and London and employs 198 members of staff.