April 28, 2011 SNP pledges to introduce Bill as “priority” if re-elected
Minimum pricing to make a return
By Gillian McKenzie Maurice Taylor raises a glass with Cerise Wade to celebrate the launch. Hotel steps into Limelight
GLASGOW’s newest hotel opened its doors last week – in the building once home to the city’s first power station.
Hotel Indigo on Waterloo
Street, a franchised brand of InterContinental Hotels Group, will be run by Maurice Taylor’s Chardon Management firm. The 95-bedroom hotel, located in the building which once provided the power for Glasgow’s old tram cars, includes Limelight Bar and Grill. Hotel Indigo will be run
by Denis MacCann, who previously headed up the Holiday Inn Theatreland for Chardon Management. Mark Platt has now taken the reins at the Holiday Inn. Maurice Taylor said: “The heart of the city’s financial district is the perfect location to open Hotel Indigo, which will particularly appeal to business travellers; its proximity to the city’s great shopping and vibrant theatre scene will undoubtedly attract leisure guests.”
MINIMUM pricing looks set to top the SNP’s legislative agenda if it earns the right to form the next Scottish Government on May 5.
The party, which topped the polls as SLTN went to press, has pledged to make another attempt to introduce a mini- mum unit price for alcohol in Scotland, stating in its mani- festo that such a Bill would be a “priority” in its first legislative programme if re-elected. The SNP said it would “seek to build a coalition of support” for the measure in parliament. The controversial proposal
failed to secure the backing of opposition parties during the last parliament, with Labour, the Lib Dems and the Tories blocking the measure at all three stages of the Alcohol Bill’s progress.
Earlier this month the par- Distiller toasts ‘record’ results
SOARING export sales are cred- ited with helping Isle of Arran Distillers deliver ‘record’ finan- cial results last week. A 45% rise in sales of its whis- kies overseas contributed to a 450% jump in operating profits to £173,028 on turnover of £2.7 million. Total sales grew 27% to reach a ‘record’ high since the distillery opened its doors in June 1995. Managing director Euan Mitchell said the performance was “testament to the strength
of the business created and the commitment to a long-term sustainable operation”. “What is most exciting about the progress we have made is that we now have the platform to create a whisky brand that enjoys outstanding consumer appeal and commercial suc- cess,” he said. “We know where we want to be in terms of creat- ing a reputation for exceptional single malts.”
The Arran Malt sold well in France.
Cracking the code
Are lessees getting results from new pubco rules?
pages 16-17
Here comes the sun
Have you turned up the heat on your drinks offer?
pages 24-32 Edinburgh Lodge West Coates, Edinburgh
• Rarely available and superbly situated small Edinburgh hotel • 12 en suite letting rooms, 1 bedroom owner’s accommodation • Car parking to the front and walled garden to the rear • Established and highly profitable • Ideal for owner operators with much scope for expansion
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ties again clashed over the controversial issue on BBC’s Politics Show, with Scottish Conservative leader Annabel Goldie and the Lib Dems’ Tav- ish Scott speaking out against the proposal and Labour’s Iain Gray questioning the legality of minimum pricing. The Scottish Green Party is,
however, supportive of a mini- mum price for alcohol, saying in its Scottish election manifes- to that such a proposal “must go beyond the UK government’s ‘duty plus VAT’ approach”. Minimum pricing has also di- vided Scotland’s licensed trade and drinks industry, with the Scottish Licensed Trade Asso- ciation a long-time supporter and the Scottish Beer and Pub Association and some drinks producers opposed to it. SBPA boss Patrick Browne said a revived minimum pricing proposal is unlikely to gain sup- port in the next parliament.
“The reasons why the Scottish
Parliament rejected minimum pricing were because it was un- proven, untested and very likely illegal,” he said. “The situation will not change
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even if the political make up of the next Scottish Parliament changes and there are a few more SNP MSPs. It’s time for politicians to give the licensed trade a break in Scotland and let us get on with complying with the licensing laws, which politi- cians have already changed on no fewer than three occasions in 18 months.” However, speaking on News- night last week, Alex Salmond said he is committed to trying to legislate for a minimum price for alcohol if the SNP gets a refreshed mandate in the Scot- tish elections. Describing mini- mum pricing as a “vital social measure”, he said it is needed to tackle alcohol misuse “head on” in Scotland.
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