The Rose Street Brewery, just a short stroll from Edinburgh Castle, officially reopened this Autumn following an extensive 3-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look.
The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include additional seating for guests including the installation of new booths for those that want a cozy and relaxed feel, an additional TV with high seating options for guests that want to watch the upcoming Autumn Tests at Murrayfield Stadium and some much needed awnings and heaters outside to keep guests dry and warm on those Dreich Scottish days.
Rose Street Brewery is renowned for brewing the famous beer, Auld Reekie, in the old Brewhouse upstairs (now the kitchen) from 1983-1994, with Rose Street itself being referred to as a drinking Oasis ever since.
The Rose Street Brewery is proud to be a part of these historical roots and continues to uphold this reputation today, welcoming guests from near and far to come and enjoy a drink in this historical landmark
Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, a chicken and ham pie, classic fish and chips and prime steak burgers, as well as a delectable range of Sunday roasts to delight discerning guests.
Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks’ menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, ciders and new to the menu – cocktails.
Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager Derek Meechan at Rose Street Brewery said: “Rose Street Brewery is an historic part of Rose Street, and it is fantastic that we are having a major refresh of the premises before a very busy time of the year.
“The works that are being completed will make it more efficient and also more appealing to our guests than it is now, which is a major achievement. Myself and my team can’t wait to open, and welcome back our guests into the new and improved Rose Street Brewery.”
Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, a number of new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests.
For more information about Rose Street Brewery please visit Nicholson’s Pub in Edinburgh | Rose Street Brewery (nicholsonspubs.co.uk)
Scotland’s beer and pub sector contributed more than £2.3 billion in GVA and generated more than £1.4 billion in tax, new British Beer and Pub Association research reveals
Despite huge contribution to country’s finances and communities, taxes and rising business costs mean pubs make just 12p a pint
Industry may have to bear yet more punishing burdens and restrictions
BBPA calls on the Government to be “business friendly” and support Great British beer and pubs to boost economic growth
Scotland’s beer and pub sector poured more than £2.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) into the economy and contributed more than £1.4 billion in tax in just one year, according to new research by the trade body.
As a whole, Britain’s beer and pub sector poured more than £34.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) into the economy and contributed more than £17.4 billion in tax in just one year, according to new research by the trade body.
Latest figures from 2024 Oxford Economics research show GVA contributions were up from the previous contribution of £1.7 billion.
These figures demonstrate the sector’s important economic contribution to both their region and the wider national economy, the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) said.
But despite this, pubs make an average of just 12p on every pint of beer once taxes and costs have been deducted.
Not only that, but the industry is also facing multiple burdens and restrictions in the form of proposed eyewatering packaging costs and a potential beer garden smoking ban.
Now the BBPA is calling for a reduction in soaring costs of doing business. It warns the industry needs government support from the Budget to make sure the sector can continue to contribute to the economy and boost the country’s finances.
The BBPA wants to see a cut in beer duty, business rates reform, and a pledge to keep the 75% business rates relief to ensure that pubs can survive.
Emma McClarkin, CEO of the BBPA, said: “The Scotland’s sector’s growth will underpin economic growth, which is why if the Government truly is business-friendly, it must recognise that pubs and brewers are shouldering multiple taxes and costs that are squashing growth and could lead to businesses failing.
“There is no more meat on the bone to cut, which is why it we are calling on the Government reduces the cost of doing business so we can continue to make a massive contribution to the public purse.
“It is imperative there is a reform in the business rates system which currently penalises bricks and mortar businesses like pubs which pay five times more than their share of turnover.
“Until then, the vital 75% business rates relief due must be maintained for pubs so that one of the core cost components of doing business can be controlled. In addition, we urgently need to see a cut in beer duty.
“Our industry is an economic bellwether and when pubs and brewers suffer, the economy suffers. If the Government wants to succeed in its growth mission, it needs to support our beer and pubs which play such a vital role in our communities.”
The sector is also facing potential eyewatering EPR recycling costs next year – set to be among the highest in Europe – plus increases in energy prices. The trade body has warned that this could lead some brewers to make heartbreaking decisions about whether they can keep making their beer.
Not only that, but a proposed smoking ban in beer gardens would have a devastating impact on many pubs and affect their viability as businesses. The BBPA is urging Government to reconsider this misguided restriction.
The industry is one for the most heavily taxed business sectors per pound of turnover in the UK with tax making up 40% of UK brewing turnover and £1 in every £3 spent in pubs.
The winners of the 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards have been revealed! The winners picked up their trophies at a glittering ‘Grand Ole Opry’ themed event held at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow on Tuesday 27th August.
The awards, now in their 29th year, celebrate all that is good and great about the hospitality industry with more than 100 hospitality venues shortlisted as finalists at the event.
Industry veteran Stuart Ross, former Chief Executive of Belhaven received a Legend of the Industry Award while David and Ruth Wither, the founders of Edinburgh-based Montpelier Group, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other award winners came from as far apart as Carnoustie and Inverness!
There were celebrations in Glasgow as The Piper Whisky Bar won the double for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year and with Gillian Kirkland becoming Deanston Whisky Guru 2024! The Absent Ear was named Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, Shilling Brewing Company as Cold Town Craft Beer Pub of the Year, Boteco Do Brasil as Favela Latin American Venue of the Year and The Smokin’ Fox snatched the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year accolade.
Fullbacks Sports and Pizza Bar in Milngavie was named Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year while Ayr venues Tempura and The Stravaig were also winners picking up the Casual Dining Award and Kopparberg New Bar of the year awards respectively. The Ship in Irvine was Dog Friendly Pub of the Year and Steven Muir of Beatbox Leisure was named Boss of The Year!
It was also a winning night for Stravaigin in Glasgow who proved they have some of the best staff around as Olivia Wong was named HOSPO Manager of the Year and Marquis Smith as Schweppes Bartender of the Year.
The party continued in Edinburgh where Black Ivy snatched the Best Outdoor area award for the second year in a row while Teuchters Landing was named Inverarity Morton’s Best Drinks offering and Lochrin Rooftop Bar (Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge) as Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year.
In Aberdeen, Malones were crowned Jameson Best Irish bar, in Fife Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion collected the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality and in Dundee Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort was awarded Family Business of the Year. There was also a special award for The Craw’s Nest in Carnoustie who scooped the ‘Community Pub of the Year’ accolade.
Other big winners were two of the industry giants – Manorview Hotels who proved what a great company they are to work for by snatching the Hospitality Health Employer of the Year gong and Inverness based Cru Hospitality who won Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year.
The late Janet Hood was posthumously named ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ and Gordon McIntyre received the Scottish Hospitality Group’s Contribution to the industry award.
Susan Young organiser and Editor of industry publication DRAM, said, “These awards are all about the people that make the hospitality industry the success it is.
“This year we had an exceptional entry. All the finalists deserve credit for the great venues that they run, but the trophies were presented to the pubs, restaurants and people that impressed their customers, judges and mystery shoppers most. Congratulations to each and every one!”
The full list of winners is below:
Lifetime Achievement Award
David & Ruth Wither
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
Black Ivy and Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Alex & Rachel Palumbo – Hey Palu & Chancho, Edinburgh
Brugal Best Cocktail Bar of the Year
The Absent Ear – Glasgow
Campari Bar Apprentice 2024
Finlay Paterson – Scotts South Queensferry
Cold Town Craft Beer Bar of the Year
Shilling Brewing Company – Glasgow
Deanston Whisky Guru 2024
Gillian Kirkland – The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow
DRAM Casual Dining Award 2024
Tempura – Ayr
Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year
Cru Hospitality – Inverness
De Kuyper Liqueurs Mixologist of the Year
Fowwaz Ansari – Bittersweet, Edinburgh
Favela Latin American Venue of the Year
Boteco Do Brasil – Glasgow
DRAM Dog Friendly Pub of the Year
The Ship – Irvine
Hospitality Health Employer of the Year
Manorview Hotels – Howwood
HOSPO Manager of the Year
Olivia Wong – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year
Forbes of Kingennie – Dundee
Unsung Hero Award
Jules Clark – Montpeliers
Inverarity Morton Best Drinks Offering
Teuchters Landing – Edinburgh
Jameson Best Irish Bar
Malones – Aberdeen
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year
The Stravaig – Ayr
Media World Best Outdoor Area
Black Ivy – Edinburgh
Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year
Lochrin Rooftop Bar – Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge
Schweppes Bartender of the Year
Marquis Smith – Stravaigin, Glasgow
Scottish Hospitality GroupContribution To the Industry Award
Dozens of much loved pubs across Scotland in serious danger of pulling their last pint, warns GMB Union
Almost 50 Stonegate pubs across Scotland could close after the company issued a profit warning.
As GMB predicted earlier this year – and despite private equity owner TDR’s assurances to a parliamentary select committee in January – Stonegate says there is no guarantee it can continue as a going concern, as it struggles to refinance a £2.2bn debt mountain.
Stonegate is one of the largest pub companies in the UK, with more than 4,500 pubs and more than 19,000 workers, including brands like Slug and Lettuce, Yates and Walkabout.
The chain has 45 pubs across Scotland
GMB has written to Lian Byrne MP, chair of the Business and Trade Select Committee, asking him to recall TDR bosses in light of the profit warning.
Nadine Houghton, GMB National Officer, said: “TDR bosses are private equity gamblers- playing fast and loose with people’s jobs and lives.
“When their risky ventures go wrong, they swan off to their next project, leaving workers and communities to pick up the pieces.
“Now, dozens of much loved pubs across Scotland are in serious danger of pulling their last pint.
Scottish Pubs Code will empower tenants of tied pubs
The Scottish Government is taking action to improve the rights of tied pub tenants across the country.
A new Scottish Pubs Code will enable eligible tied pub tenants to sell a guest beer from brands that have small production levels or switch to a market rate lease under which they could purchase products from any supplier.
Ministers will lay secondary legislation in Parliament next week which, if approved, would see the Code come into force on 7 October 2024. It will be overseen by an Adjudicator who is expected to be appointed next month, subject to parliamentary approval.
A tied lease involves tenants buying some or all of their alcohol and other products and services from the pub-owning business.
Ministers expect the legislation will deliver a fairer tied pubs sector, with risks and rewards being more equally shared between tenants and their landlords. In 2023, it was estimated that there were just under 700 tied pubs in Scotland.
Small Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We need to do all we can to protect pubs, bars and licensed clubs in Scotland, which in 2022 supported 34,000 jobs throughout the country and play an important role in our communities.
“I am pleased that we are now free to introduce measures contained in the Tied Pubs Act and give tenants more freedom to choose the lease which best suits their needs and diversify the number of products they can sell.
“It’s in everyone’s interest that the sector prospers and I look forward to working with tenants, pub-owning businesses and the new Scottish Pubs Code Adjudicator to deliver these important changes.”
CAMRA: ‘LONG OVERDUE’
Welcoming the Scottish Government’s announcement, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said:“Today’s announcement that the Scottish Government recognise the importance of protecting pubs, the role they play in our communities and are now introducing a new, legal Pubs Code for Scotland, is fantastic news for licensees and pubgoers.
“As well as making sure tied tenants can earn a decent living, the new Pubs Code looks set to make it easier for tied tenants to sell more locally brewed beers, increasing choice at the bar for customers of tasty and distinctive products from small, local and independent breweries – particularly cask ale.
“These new protections in law are vital so tied tenants can make a long-term success of their pubs and shape the unique character of their businesses to become an integral part of their community.
“This requires a balanced relationship between licensees and pub companies, preventing any unfair practices like pub companies taking more than is fair or sustainable from tied licensees’ profits – or making it harder to sell a range of locally-brewed products.
“This fair deal for tied pub tenants to protect pubs at the heart of communities can only be achieved by a robust and long-overdue statutory Scottish Pubs Code and the new Pubs Code Adjudicator to enforce it.”
February 22nd is National Walk Your Dog Day – the perfect chance to explore your local area, get out in the fresh air, and treat your dog to an adventure outdoors, and the Edinburgh countryside is perfect to do just that.
Eat Drink Meet, experts in all thing’s pubs and restaurants, have delved into Edinburgh’s top dog walks and trails, which not only offer amazing views and stunning sights but also provide dog-friendly pubs for owners and pups alike to enjoy a tipple at the end of a long walk.
Eat Drink Meet’s brand-new planning website allows users to filter the pubs in their area and search specifically for the ones that are dog friendly. Using AllTrails, they identified the best dog walking routes that start and/or end at one of those pubs in the area.
A spokesperson at EDM comments: “National Walk Your Dog Day is the perfect chance to appreciate the companionship offered by our furry friends.
“Finding pubs that are dog-friendly can be tricky, but when it comes to making a day of it with your pup, particularly in a new location, it can sometimes feel like trial and error and can make an otherwise wholesome day quite stressful.
“Our new planning website that allows users to filter the pubs in their area (or an area they’re looking to visit) based on what they’re looking for is designed to help exactly this problem.
“We want our dog-loving and dog-owning customers to relax and enjoy time with their pups, knowing they don’t have to worry about finding a spot for lunch at the end – with Eat Drink Meet, they’ve already planned their stops. Because, really, there’s no better way to finish a walk than resting in a relaxing pub with a hot drink or refreshing lager.”
Top dog friendly walks in Edinburgh
1. Holyrood Park
Holyrood Park is an iconic landmark in Edinburgh. Home to the famous Arthur’s Seat, it offers stunning views of the city. Arthur’s Seat is the remains of a volcano where stone and flint tools were located, revealing human activity dating back to 5000 BC.
Within the area of Holyrood Park and Arthur’s Seat there are several walks to try out, perfect for walking furry friends. Occasionally certain routes and paths are closed but information is regularly updated online.
Walks include:
· Arthur’s Seat: this 4.2km trail climbing 251m to the summit of Arthur’s Seat. Considered moderately difficult to complete this trail takes 1 hour 41 minutes to complete.
· Holyrood Park Circular: located beside the Holyrood Palace and Scottish parliament buildings, this walk circles round the park and passes Dunsapie Loch and St.Margaret’s Loch. 5.6km in distance it takes approximately 1 hour 32 minutes to complete. Located on the outer edge of the park is the Sheep Heid Inn – a dog friendly pub making a perfect end point.
· Arthur’s Seat and Saint Anthony’s Chapel: this walk avoids the steeper routes up the hill, perfect for dog walks. At 3.2km in distance, it takes 1 hour 21 minutes.
· Queen’s Drive around Holyrood Park: 5.3km in distance, it takes 1 hour 27 minutes. This walk loops round the park and can be shortened or lengthened thanks to the adjacent paths along the walk.
The Meadows are in the city centre of Edinburgh, bordered by the University of Edinburgh campus (George Square Campus). It offers plenty of open space lined with trees and an excellent view of Arthur’s Seat.
Walks include:
· The Meadows Perimeter Walk: an easy 2.3km that takes only 29 minutes to complete making a perfect way to enjoy National Dog Walking Day. Less than a 10-minute walk away from the Meadows is Salisbury Arms, a great dog friendly pub.
· Jawbone, Coronation, Boys Brigade, Borough Loch Walks: this is a slightly longer version of the standard perimeter walk, taking 37 minutes to complete.
Princes Street Gardens consists of over 37 acres of grassland and divides the Old and New Town. The gardens were first designed in 1770 but were established in 1820. Each Christmas, part of the gardens is transformed into Winter Wonderland and features the famous Edinburgh Christmas markets, ice rink and Ferris wheel.
Recommended walks include:
· West Princes Street Gardens and Calton Hill: this 5.6km walk with an elevation gain of 152m takes approximately 1 hour 32 minutes to complete. The walk ascends Calton Hill which offers panoramic views of Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Palace, Leith and the Royal Mile. A perfect pup-friendly pitstop is the Deacon Brodies Tavern, located on the Royal Mile.
· Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace: another walk is an out-and-back route, 3.2km which takes 53 minutes to complete.
· Edinburgh Walking Tour: this 7.4km walk takes 1 hour 51 minutes to complete, offering the perfect opportunity to see Edinburgh’s most famous attractions. Located on the route is The Last Drop, a perfect stopping point for a drink (and is dog friendly).
Edinburgh Walking Tour 1
4. Water of Leith
Edinburgh’s river, the Water of Leith, is approximately 24 miles in distance. Starting in Pentland Hills the river flows through the heart of Edinburgh and into Leith. The river is home to a diverse range of plants and animals.
The Walkway (the route following the river), passes through several interesting locations: Saughton Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, Dean Village and Stockbridge. It is suitable for walking, cycling and is in some parts used for horse-riding.
Recommended walks include:
· Water of Leith Walkway: starting from Balerno, weaving through the city to the Firth of Forth at Leith, the walkway is a popular route for walking and cycling. This 19.6km walk takes 4 hours 43 minutes to complete. The trail winds through some of Edinburgh’s most famous areas – Leith, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Stockbridge and Dean Village. Located on the route, Hector’s pub is a fantastic option for a pit stop.
· Water of Leith: Currie to Balerno: for a shorter walk, this 4.7km out and back trail takes 1 hour 4 minutes to complete.
Water of Leith Walkway 1
5. Queensferry (South Queensferry)
Queensferry is a town located to the west of Edinburgh, linked to the ancient Kingdom of Fife by three bridges that cross the River Forth.
South Queensferry was ranked the second prettiest town in the UK in 2023. The town includes several popular landmarks and attractions such as Barnbougle Castle, Eagle Rock and Cramond Causeway.
Recommended walks:
· Hound Point: at 5 km in distance and takes roughly 1 hour to complete. Starting at South Queensferry it follows the coast to Hounds Point and back. Forth Bridges offers fantastic views year-round. Located directly next to the Start/Finish point is The Hawes Inn, a dog friendly pub offering food all week.
· Forth Road Bridge: this 5.8km walk takes 1 hour 16 minutes to complete. The route starts in South Queensferry, advancing over the Forth Road Bridge to North Queensferry.
· Cramond Island via River Almond Walkway: this 8km out and back trail starts on land. If the tide is right, it offers the chance to walk to Cramond Island.
· Fife Coastal Path: North Queensferry to Aberdour: this 13.5km walk takes 3 hours 10 minutes to complete. The Fife Coastal Path links the Forth and Tay Estuaries.
Proposal to continue policy and increase level to 65p
Plans to continue setting a minimum price per unit of alcohol and to increase it by 15p will go before the Scottish Parliament for approval.
As part of a ‘sunset clause’ when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation was introduced in 2018, it will end on 30 April this year unless Parliament votes to keep it.
A price increase is required to counteract the effects of inflation and 65p has been selected as the Scottish Government seeks to increase the positive effects of the policy.
If Parliament agrees, it will take effect on 30 September 2024.
Deputy First Minister Shona Robison said: “Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to reducing health inequalities.
“Despite this progress, deaths caused specifically by alcohol rose last year – and my sympathy goes out to all those who have lost a loved one.
“We believe the proposals, which are supported by Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, strike a reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and impact on consumers.
“Evidence suggests there has not been a significant impact on business and industry as a whole.
“Alongside MUP, we will continue to invest in treatment and a wide range of other measures, including funding for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships which rose to £112 million in 2023-24.”
CAMRA: Action plan needed to save Scottish pubs from permanent closure after MUP announcement
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says ministers need to value the role of local pubs as part of Scotland’s social fabric and protect them from closure.
CAMRA is calling on the Scottish Government to come up with an action plan to save the nation’s pubs following today’s announcement on increasing the minimum unit price for alcohol to 65p from 30 September.
Representing pubgoers, the consumer group believes that policies like Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) – and a cut in tax specifically on pints served in pubs, which it is calling for ahead of the UK Government’s Budget in March – can encourage people to drink in the regulated setting of the pub instead of drinking cheaper supermarket alcohol at home.
But the Campaign fears that uprating MUP won’t have an impact on its own to encourage pub-going and to safeguard the future of hundreds of community locals at risk of permanent closure due to crippling business rates and a possible return of Scottish Government plans to ban alcohol advertising.
Commenting on the MUP increase, CAMRA’s Scotland Director Stuart McMahon said:“Our pubs and social clubs are a vital part of our social fabric, bringing people together and helping to tackle loneliness and social isolation. But too many are being forced to close due to crippling costs, with pubs in Scotland shutting up shop at a higher rate than elsewhere in the UK.
“Sadly, the Scottish Government doesn’t seem to understand the importance of protecting our local pubs as community meeting places and as a safe, regulated place to enjoy a pint with friends and family, with all the wellbeing benefits that go with it. Once our pubs have closed down, or have been converted into flats or shops, or demolished altogether, it is too late to get them back for the communities they once served.
“That’s why we are calling on the Scottish Government to bring forward an action plan to protect and promote pubs as a force for good in our society and to recognise the mental health and wellbeing benefits of drinking responsibly in your local.
“CAMRA urgently wants to see a rethink on help for pubs with business rates, the closing of loopholes in the planning system that allow pubs to be demolished by developers without the need for planning permission and a commitment not to cripple valued local pubs and independent breweries by bringing back draconian measures to ban alcohol advertising and sponsorship.”
GMB Scotland responds to ministerial announcement on Minimum Unit Pricing
GMB Scotland has urged the Scottish Government to urgently reconsider plans to increase minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol by 30%.
The union, with members across the drinks industry, warned the policy is already risking jobs and investment while its health benefits remain unproven.
Deputy first minister Shona Robison today revealed the government’s intention to continue the policy beyond its initial five years while increasing the MUP from 50p to 65p.
David Hume, GMB Scotland organiser in the drinks industry, said: “The case for continuing with MUP never mind increasing it gets weaker with every piece of research published.
“Ministers must be guided by reliable research and data not wishful thinking and good intentions.
“The potential consequences of this policy are too damaging for it to be justified with anecdote, hunches and hope.
“Five years ago, we were told this policy would help save lives of problem drinkers. Now we are told it is about curbing the intake of moderate drinkers but there is no substantive evidence to suggest it does either.”
“The health benefits of this policy remain theoretical at best but the risk of undermining one of Scotland’s most successful industries threatening investment and jobs could not be more real.
“It is reckless to consider extending this policy and increasing MUP when there is no substantive evidence that it does any good.”
The union polled workers across the brewing, whisky and spirits last year when 64% said MUP should be scrapped because it needlessly risked jobs and investment while doing nothing to discourage problem drinking while a third said it should remain at 50p or be reduced.
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.
As over 2,500 students make their way to the Usher Hall in Edinburgh to attend their graduation ceremony, one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, Shakespeare’s on Lothian Road, has rebranded as The Napier Graduate in honour of the university’s class of ’23.
For three days only from Wednesday 5 July to Friday 7 July, Shakespeare’s will be known as The Napier Graduate. Capturing the celebratory mood of the graduates, the pub has been decked out in red and white Napier livery, changing everything from the outdoor signs to the beermats in tribute of the new graduates and providing a welcoming space to celebrate with families and loved ones.
July 2023 marks Edinburgh Napier University’s biggest graduation celebration to date with six ceremonies spread over three full days, honoring the graduates of all five of the University’s Schools.
To mark the occasion the original Shakespeare’s signage has been replaced with the new Napier branding resulting in a complete redesign of the pub to make it the place to celebrate after graduation.
Among those graduating are Eilidh Skye Denny, an aspiring lawyer who was the first in her family to attend university. Hailing from Greenock, Inverclyde, Eilidh has completed an LLB Law degree at Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School at the age of just twenty-two and hopes to inspire other youngsters from less advantaged backgrounds.
Eilidh said: “Coming from a socially deprived area, as well as one of the poorest areas in Scotland, has been hard, but I have been able to challenge this and prove the statistics wrong, which has been rewarding.”
“My aim is to be able to inspire others who come from a similar area or background, to show that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and put the work in.”
This is not the first time Edinburgh Napier University has pulled out all the stops to celebrate its graduates. In 2021, the University held a city takeover, which saw the name of graduates displayed across 18 billboards, 100 bus stops, an Edinburgh Tram, and a taxi, accompanied by messages underlining the University’s pride in them and offering congratulations on their success.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal and Vice Chancellor at Edinburgh Napier University, said:“Graduations in the Usher Hall are the highlight of the year for me and Shakespeare’s has been synonymous with celebrations after our ceremonies for as long as I can remember.
“To support recognition of the achievements of our class of ’23, we are dedicating a special place for them to celebrate with family and friends. The warm and welcoming staff at the newly named The Napier Graduate are the perfect hosts to help raise a toast to our new graduates as they embark on their next chapter after university.”
Izzy Polson, General Manager of Shakespeare’ssaid: “We love welcoming the new graduates to the pub each year. It’s always such a fun and celebratory time so we were delighted to be rebranded as The Napier Graduate to make this year even more special.
“As one of Edinburgh’s oldest pubs, Shakespeare’s was built at the same time as many of the theatres of the area, so you never know, I could be serving the next Shakespeare!”
The Napier Graduate is open from Wednesday 5 July to Friday 7 July 2023 at 65 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ.
