HOT WEATHER BOOST TO PUBS AND INDUSTRY OSCARS
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critic. Last year the inaugural title was taken by The Birds and Bees in Stirling.
This year the finalists will be Inn on the Loch in Lanark, The Citizen in Glasgow, The Outside Inn in Larbert, The Riccarton Inn in Currie, Edinburgh and Souters Inn in Kirkoswald, Ayrshire.
Susan said: “Pub Spy has been great for the industry and all the pubs love getting on the good side of a review. It has added something to the night and being the Pub Spy Pub of the Year is now a major accolade.”
The awards night is one of the most hotly anticipated in the licensed trade calendar.
The Pub Spy award winner will go head to head with other category winners including Cocktail Bar, Country Pub, Casual Dining, Dog Friendly Pub and Whisky Bar of the Year to win the overall Sunday Mail Pub of the Year.
Themes in recent years have included Burlesque, 80s Top of the Pops and last year’s Cabaret.
This year the theme is Strictly Come Dancing with the 600 guests encouraged to have a go under a specially hoisted glitter ball.
Alan Herries, manager of Inn on the Loch for 12 years, said: “I am thrilled we’ve been nominated for such a prestigious award.
“It’s a family-run business and this accolade is testament to our hardworking and friendly staff and to our loyal customer base. It’s great to see all of that hard work being recognised.”
The hostelry was also named best in South Lanarkshire at The National Pub & Bar Awards 2018 and is shortlisted at The 5th Food Awards Scotland 2018.
But Alan, 40, said: “The Sunday Mail nomination is the icing on the cake.
“It was lovely to get such a positive review when Pub Spy visited last month as we had no idea we were being checked out. I may be biased but I think we’ve got the formula of good food and drink and a friendly atmosphere just about right.
“The location is pretty special too as the views over the loch and the golf course are spectacular.
“We have lots of local customers but people travel from far and wide to seek us out, especially in this great summer weather. I want to thank all of our customers and staff for making the Inn the s uc c e s s it is.”
Sunday Mail
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