Changes are afoot in Scotland’s pub trade. The Signature Pub Group has just announced the purchase of the Thistle Pub Company. It is the first acquisition Signature has made in the West.

Signature has many well known Edinburgh pubs and restaurants including Kyloe, The Basement Bar, The Huxley and the recently opened Badger & Co. They also have The West Port in St Andrews.

The Thistle Pub Co purchase means that they now also own The Raven, The Hope and Munro’s in Glasgow; The Wick in Prestwick and Clerk’s Bar in Edinburgh.

Sticking to the western end of the M8, Kelvin Pocket is a new independent café which opened recently on South Woodside Road. It promises breakfasts and lunches with sweet and savoury treats, organic herbal teas and coffee from Climpson and Sons.

Outstanding contribution

We will also make mention of Graham Suttle who, along with Andrew Scott of Victus Consultancy, was honoured for his Outstanding Contribution To The Scottish Hospitality Industry 2016 at the latest Scottish Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.

Graham Suttle is the MD of Kained Holdings which runs several notable bars in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Porter and Rye, The Finnieston, The Crafty Pig and the Lebowski’s bars are all Kained businesses.

The Honours, Martin Wishart’s popular brasserie at Glasgow’s Malmaison Hotel, picked up the Best Restaurant award.

Edinburgh’s Divino Enoteca took the Best Italian Restaurant award.

Congratulations to all concerned.

Finally, look out for a new branch of Rollo on Edinburgh’s Broughton Street.

The smart, small plate bistro has made a name for itself in Stockbridge over the last couple of years and has now expanded into the premises formerly occupied by Bonsai Bar Bistro.