18-06-2025
Popular Scottish pub known for being heart of the community wins prestigious award
An East Renfrewshire bar is one of just six in the UK to win a national award for community impact.
A local pub in East Renfrewshire has been named one of the best in the UK for its outstanding work in the community. The Cartvale in Busby was selected from 2,400 pubs across the country to receive a prestigious Recognition Award from Heineken-owned Star Pubs.
The gong honours its vital role at the heart of the community. The Cartvale is one of just six pubs nationwide to be chosen for the accolade, Glasgow Live reports.
Adding to its growing list of achievements, The Cartvale has also been shortlisted as a finalist in the industry-wide Great British Pub Awards, with the winner to be revealed at a gala event in Leeds this September. This recognition follows its recent nomination for best pub in East Renfrewshire in the Pub & Bar Awards.
The Recognition Award was presented to husband-and-wife team Rick and Liz Houston by Matt Dyson, Star Pubs' regional operations director, just as they prepare to celebrate five years running the bar.
The East Renfrewshire couple took over The Cartvale during the first Covid lockdown in 2020, at a time when the pub was struggling.
Since then, they've invested around £60,000 into transforming the venue into a welcoming, family and dog -friendly pub that now employs 35 people and serves as a focal point of the local community.
Their investment has helped create a private dining space and a spacious garden with an outdoor bar, seating for 150 people and even a woodland area where dogs can roam off-lead. The garden is a popular destination on sunny days and often hosts events, adding to the pub's warm, inclusive atmosphere.
Known for its all-day food and drink offering, The Cartvale opens daily at 11 am with barista-style coffee and cakes. Its menu features hearty favourites like steak pie, fish and chips, homemade burgers, and stone-baked Italian pizzas made from scratch. Sunday roasts regularly sell out. Four-legged visitors are just as welcome, with free treats and water bowls provided.
It's not just food and drink that make The Cartvale a community favourite. The pub provides space for groups such as the East Renfrewshire Carers Group and hosts a range of activities including DJ nights, live music, sports screenings, and weekly quizzes.
It also supports local initiatives, sponsoring Busby Football Club and showcasing up-and-coming musicians from the area.
Rick, who has more than three decades of experience in hospitality, said the moment he and Liz stepped inside The Cartvale, they knew it was the one.
'We'd always wanted a pub of our own and had looked at lots of different sites. As soon as we walked into The Cartvale it struck a chord with us.
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"We're honoured to receive this award. The Cartvale is like a family, and we couldn't have done it without our fantastic team or the backing of residents.
'They have supported The Cartvale every step of the way and through all the challenges the pub industry has faced over the last five years. We're very grateful.'
Matt Dyson of Star Pubs praised the couple's dedication and vision, saying: 'The Cartvale is an exceptional local that is constantly evolving and launching new ideas. This award could not be more well deserved.
'It speaks volumes about the impact The Cartvale has as a community hub that is an asset to Busby. It is a tribute to Rick and Liz, thanks to their hard work, passion and commitment The Cartvale is back on the map and thriving again.'
