Latest news with #VillageInn
Daily Record
30-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire pub claims regional pub of the year award
The Village Inn in Fairlie has been chosen as the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Pub of the Year. An Ayrshire pub has been named as regional pub of the year for 2025 by CAMRA - the Campaign for Real Ale. Fairlie's Village Inn was selected following a rigorous judging process to be named the Ayrshire and Wigtownshire Pub of the Year. The popular pub will no go onto the national finals where it will represent Ayrshire and could be named Scottish CAMRA Pub of the Year. After a close-run competition, the Village Inn came out as the overall winner, with judges commending it for the quality of the real ales, friendly atmosphere and tasty home-cooked meals. Last week, Thursday, May 22, the pub was presented with its award by Lindsay Grant, Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA branch chair. A total of 26 CAMRA members from across the region turned out to celebrate the achievement and they were treated to a number of fine real ales. Currently, the Village Inn offers four ales including Jack Back and Stewart's 80/- from Stewart Brewing as well as Caledonian Brewery's Deuchars IPA and McGregor's by Five Kingdoms. Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson has also celebrated the achievement by submitting a motion to the Scottish Parliament which congratulates the pub and highlights "the contribution of owner Brian Flanagan and his team in achieving this recognition". A spokesperson for Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA said: "The Village Inn, Fairlie has been judged as Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA Branch Pub of the Year 2025. "A presentation was held recently on Thursday, May 22, to give licensee Brian Flanagan his award. "The Village Inn now goes forward to be judged against the other Scottish branch winners in this year's competition, with the overall Scottish Pub of the Year winner being announced at the end of July. "Thanks also to local MSP Kenneth Gibson for lodging a motion to the Scottish Parliament to congratulate the Village Inn, Fairlie for winning the Branch Pub of the Year 2025." The Ayrshire and Wigtownshire CAMRA branch holds regular socials every month to which anyone is welcome to attend and have a chat about anything whilst enjoying a pint of real ale. Recent socials have seen the enthusiasts enjoy the ales over in Fraser's Bar, Millport; the Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs; and the Harbour Bar, Troon. Full details of forthcoming events can be found online at The next North Ayrshire and Branch social will be held at the Glasgow Real Ale Festival held in the Briggait, Glasgow on Friday 20 June from 12pm.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
One of Birmingham's 'greatest venues' closes its doors but vows 'not the end'
One of Birmingham's 'greatest' venues closed its doors this weekend - marking the 'end of an era'. The Village Inn, also one of the city's oldest LGBTQ+ bars, shut on Saturday night, March 29 as fans gathered to say goodbye to the Hurst Street venue. But the owners, who vowed it was 'not the end', confirmed the venue's 'legacy' would live on in a new home. Although it's not yet known where this will be. Read more: The loved ones who vanished from the Midlands as teenagers - and still haven't been found years on Comedian Joe Lycett paid tribute to the venue, hailing it as "one of the greatest" in the city as he branded it a "huge inspiration." The Birmingham-born TV presenter and painter wrote to his Instagram story: "RIP The Village Brum. One of the greatest Birmingham venues, lost to Birmingham developers. "A huge inspiration to me, particularly for the vibe we tried to create on Late Night Lycett. Plus we got absolutely wrecked there on numerous occasions." The bar owners previously promised it would 'not miss a day' during the switch-over between the Hurst Street venue closing, and the new Village Inn opening. It had said it was moving to a "shiny, brand new cabaret venue in the heart of Brum", although the exact location was not given. In a final Facebook post from the Hurst Street venue, they wrote this weekend: "AND NOW THE END IS NEAR. "And so, we gather to witness the end of an era. The Village Inn—more than a bar, more than a venue—has been a sanctuary, a place of joy, acceptance, and belonging. "For years, it has welcomed all who sought refuge in music, laughter, and camaraderie. Within these walls, friendships have flourished, love has blossomed, and the art of drag has been celebrated in its most dazzling form. "But as with all things, change is inevitable. Tonight, The Village Inn closes its doors—not as an end, but as a transformation. Its spirit, its people, its legacy—will live on in a new home, where it will continue to thrive. "So, let us not mourn, but celebrate. Let us raise a glass to the laughter, the music, and the memories. The Village Inn is not just a place—it is a legacy. And legacies never fade."
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Second chance at love? After Valentine's Day disaster, Skokie restaurants plan Feb. 28 do-over
Skokie restaurateurs were left heartbroken on Valentine's Day when a broken water main disaster in northeastern Skokie left the village without drinkable tap water from Feb. 14 through 16. The lack of water meant most Skokie restaurants had to close on Valentine's Day, one of the most profitable days of the year, and offer only limited service that weekend. To mend those broken hearts, Skokie officials began a campaign titled 'Double the Love' for Skokie restaurants to have another shot at offering Valentine's Day on Feb. 28. 'Valentine's Day weekend is typically one of the most lucrative weekends for local restaurants – a time when couples brave the cold to celebrate love over a delicious meal,' the village's Economic Vitality Coordinator Carol White said in an email. The 'double the love' slogan is a call for customers to support local restaurants, White said, and it doesn't mean that there are deals or discounts associated with it for businesses that closed on Feb. 14. According to White, there are nearly 400 restaurants in Skokie. 'Everyone suffers from an unprecedented loss like this,' she said. Marcos Rivera, owner of Libertad restaurant, said he is hopeful customers will patronize his business on the 28th. Libertad saw losses between $15,000 and $20,000 after having to close on Valentine's Day, after the business placed special orders for filet mignon, salmon and oysters. 'So far, the support from the community has been great,' Rivera said. A special menu for the do-over day is being planned, but it won't be the same specialty dishes that were originally planned for Feb. 14. 'We've seen a spike in reservations, and hopefully that will continue,' after the village began the 'Double the Love' campaign, Rivera said. 'All we can do is hope we continue to get the support the community has given us… without them, it's very difficult to make it,' he said. But not everybody in Skokie was hopeful that the village's efforts could match the dinner rush and weekend business that Valentine's Day usually entails. Desi Mulingbayan, the owner of Village Inn Pizza, said that while his restaurant will serve heart-shaped pizzas on Feb. 28, the restaurant is largely moving on. 'We have fellow restaurateurs who have their biggest weekend on Valentine's Day weekend. They stock up with filet mignons and oysters and what-have-you… I can see how it works out for them… not that we're ever a destination for Valentine's Day,' he said. Mulingbayan said his restaurant booked Love Sick, an adult drag show, for Feb. 15th to coincide with the holiday. He said he can't get them for the upcoming weekend because they are already booked up. And on the 29th, the Village Inn will host a pay-per-view viewing of a boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Lamont Roach, he said. Over at Will's Place, Manager Jeff Hallagan said the café was able to sell all of its Valentine's Day baked goods on Feb. 14, before many restaurants closed in the afternoon. 'Thank you to the community for rallying and helping us and (we are) thankful everybody can come out this weekend and help all of the local restaurants keep doing what they're what they're doing,' he said.
