Ayrshire pubs 'delighted' with awards during 'most challenging' time for industry
The Smoking Goat, The Weston Tavern, and the Red Squirrel are all in the running to be named the UK's best pub.
Pubs in Ayrshire say they’re ‘chuffed to bits’ with winning regional awards that shortlists them for the National Pub & Bar of the year.
The Red Squirrel in Stevenston, The Weston Tavern in Kilmaurs, and The Smoking Goat in Ayr all won best county pub respectively and will now go on to face 91 venues across the UK to be named the best.
It’s the 4th time in a row that the Weston Tavern has won the regional award and been shortlisted for the national, and owner John Cairns is telling Greatest Hits Radio his staff are overjoyed with recognition.
He said: “To be honest winning four consecutive times is unbelievable, and we’re all chuffed to bits.
“I was asking my Weston family how it makes them feel, and they all just told me they feel lovely and so proud that their work gets recognised at this level.”
The Smoking Goat in Ayr is picking up the award for the first time, and the staff are going to be celebrating with customers this Sunday with a quiz and karaoke in the venue.
Owner, David Storrie told Greatest Hits Radio: “We were delighted to hear the news, and it actually came as bit of shock to us all.
“To be nominated and then become the county winners is amazing, but to get the chance to go for the national award in London is amazing.
“We’re all really really pleased. We all work really hard here at the goat, and the staff deserve every bit of the recognition.”
Overcoming challenges for the industry
Both owners say it’s been the most challenging time to be in the hospitality industry and the recognition comes at a welcome time to boost staff morale and to attract more customers.
John Cairns said: “It has been tough; it’s been a challenging time and it will continue to be that way. The industry has gone through one of the hardest times it will ever face.
“The hospitality industry was just recovering from a financial crash then covid hit, and now we’ve made our way through that we’re living through a cost-of-living crisis with bills going through the roof and customers less inclined to eat or drink out.
“It noy only creates problems for us, but for our suppliers are increasing prices too, and it’s something I think the governments should be helping the hospitality industry.
“Whether that’s doing a temporary reduction or VAT or really just anything to help the industry weather the storm.
“We work hard to engage with the community so our footfall has stayed the same, but it’s the prices that we’re trying to manage and keep at a level our amazing customers can afford.”