Latest news with #PuboftheYearAward
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Aberdeenshire bar boss reveals secrets to success after winning Pub of the Year
Pitmedden's only pub has been recognised with a national award, seven years after it was saved by a local councillor. Paul Johnston took over The Craft Bar in Pitmedden seven years ago, after the village's only pub had closed. The Craft Bar has been awarded Pub of the Year for Aberdeen, Grampian and Northern Isles. The award was presented by CAMRA, a consumer organisation which recognises pubs for providing high-quality drinks. Although Paul had worked in bars in his youth, he had never owned a pub before. Paul said: 'When we took over the pub was in a very poor state and had severe problems. 'While it was challenging, as a councillor saving a pub in my ward felt like the right thing to do.' Paul was initially inspired to take over the village pub following the success of his friend Duncan Borrowman. Duncan, also a local councillor in Shropshire, had bought The Bailey Head pub in his local village of Oswestry. The pub has also received recognition by CAMRA, winning their overall Pub of the Year Award. Paul runs the bar with his wife Roseanne and has always valued providing a variety of high-quality drinks. After taking over the pub, Paul was keen to expand its drink options and get people to try something new. The Craft Bar is home to more than 300 wines, 80 gins and a variety of craft beers. Paul said: 'One of the big assets of the north east is how good our brewing and drinks industry is. 'We use Fierce from Dyce, Six Degrees North from Stonehaven and beers from Speyside. Because of the wide variety of drinks offered, the pub has become a real community hotspot, with Pitmedden locals and visitors coming by to try new weekly beers and wines. He added: 'I believe that well-run pubs have a great effect on the community. We help people come together and get things done – and there's no better thing than having a nice pint of beer to do it with.'
Daily Record
22-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Independent Wishaw pub is shortlisted for best in central belt accolade
Corrigan's Bar & Grill was nominated by the public for the prestigious award. A popular Wishaw pub is in the running to be named the best in Scotland's central belt. Corrigan's Bar & Grill in the town's Stewarton Street is one of five hospitality establishments to be shortlisted in the 13th annual Scottish Entertainment & Hospitality Awards. Award-winning Corrigan's is the only bar in Lanarkshire to be shortlisted in the Best Independent Bar in the Central Belt category at this year's annual awards with the winners ceremony taking place at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow next Thursday, May 1. Corrigan's, owned by Derek Wyse for the last 12 years, has been nominated for the accolade by customers, having previously won the Wishaw Press' own Pub of the Year Award back in 2019. Corrigan's manager Megan Turner, said: 'We were shocked and overwhelmed at the same time. The awards people phoned us and said we'd been nominated, it came as a total shock. We knew nothing about it prior to that. 'The hospitality industry is so difficult at the moment with rising costs but if it wasn't for our regular customers we wouldn't be here today. There's only so much you can charge for a pint but the cost of everything is rising. 'Sometimes you think it would be easier just to throw the towel in but we are lucky to be busy and have a good set of regulars that come in. It's no wonder so many pubs are shutting down with the costs. 'We are so thankful for the regular and constant custom we get and it's great to get noticed. Throughout the year we are always helping local charities and going above & beyond for our regulars so it's good to get recognition. 'We're all buzzing and going along as a team to the awards.'
