Inverness hospitality group Cru Holdings win independent operator of the year title at bar and pub awards
An Inverness-based hospitality firm has hailed its people as “the heart of everything they do” after winning an award at this year’s 2024 Scottish Bar and Pub Awards.
Cru Hospitality, who operate several hospitality venues across the city and Highlands, were named as this year’s Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year.
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Winners in several categories picked up their trophies at the glittering ‘Grand Ole Opry’ themed event, which was held at the Doubletree Hilton in Glasgow on Tuesday, August 27.
Scott Murray, co-founder and CEO of CRU Hospitality, said: "Winning Independent Pub Group of the Year is an incredible honour and a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our entire team.
“At CRU, we’ve always believed in pushing boundaries and striving for excellence, and this award is a testament to that spirit.
“We are proud of what we’ve achieved, but we’re even more excited about the future.
“We’ll continue to innovate, grow, and most importantly, invest in our people, because they are the heart of everything we do.”
The awards, now in their 29th year, aim to celebrate “all that is good and great about the hospitality industry” with more than 100 hospitality venues shortlisted as finalists at the event.
Susan Young organiser and Editor of industry publication DRAM, said, “These awards are all about the people that make the hospitality industry the success it is.
“This year we had an exceptional entry. All the finalists deserve credit for the great venues that they run, but the trophies were presented to the pubs, restaurants and people that impressed their customers, judges and mystery shoppers most.
“Congratulations to each and every one!”
Industry veteran Stuart Ross, the former chief executive of Belhaven, received a Legend of the Industry Award, while David and Ruth Wither, the founders of Edinburgh-based Montpelier Group, picked up the Lifetime Achievement Award.
There were celebrations in Glasgow as The Piper Whisky Bar won the double for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year and with Gillian Kirkland becoming Deanston Whisky Guru 2024!
The Absent Ear was named Brugal 1888 Cocktail Bar of the Year, Shilling Brewing Company as Cold Town Craft Beer Pub of the Year, Boteco Do Brasil as Favela Latin American Venue of the Year and The Smokin’ Fox snatched the Sunday Mail Pub of the Year accolade.
Fullbacks Sports and Pizza Bar in Milngavie was named Sims Automatics Sports Bar of the Year while Ayr venues Tempura and The Stravaig were also winners picking up the Casual Dining Award and Kopparberg New Bar of the year awards respectively. The Ship in Irvine was Dog Friendly Pub of the Year and Steven Muir of Beatbox Leisure was named Boss of The Year!
It was also a winning night for Stravaigin in Glasgow who proved they have some of the best staff around as Olivia Wong was named HOSPO Manager of the Year and Marquis Smith as Schweppes Bartender of the Year.
The party continued in Edinburgh where Black Ivy snatched the Best Outdoor area award for the second year in a row while Teuchters Landing was named Inverarity Morton’s Best Drinks offering and Lochrin Rooftop Bar (Moxy Edinburgh Fountainbridge) as Molinari Hotel Bar of the Year.
In Aberdeen, Malones were crowned Jameson Best Irish bar, in Fife Hugo’s Bar and Pavilion collected the Staropramen Award for Outstanding Quality and in Dundee Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort was awarded Family Business of the Year. There was also a special award for The Craw’s Nest in Carnoustie who scooped the ‘Community Pub of the Year’ accolade.
Other big winners were two of the industry giants - Manorview Hotels who proved what a great company they are to work for by snatching the Hospitality Health Employer of the Year gong and Inverness based Cru Hospitality who won Drinks Express Independent Operator of the Year.
The late Janet Hood was posthumously named ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year’ and Gordon McIntyre received the Scottish Hospitality Group’s Contribution to the industry award.
