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Articles by Jonathan Watt
What next for our armed forces community? - TFN
Jonathan Watt on the closure of a vital service for veterans As an aged veteran with 27 years in uniform, I took to Princess Street in Edinburgh to stand on the pavement along with many other volunteers selling poppies for a worthy cause. During the weekend we marked Remembrance Sunday, a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
What next for our Armed Forces community?
As an aged veteran with 27 years in uniform, last weekend I took to Princess Street in Edinburgh to stand on the pavement along with many other volunteers selling poppies for a worthy cause. Tomorrow is of course Remembrance Sunday, a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
Who do you go to when you want to complain about the NHS?
There’s a ladle in my kitchen cupboard that has a slight bend in its stem. A casualty of the days when I stood at my front door and banged it against various pots and pans to celebrate the NHS. Those halcyon days seem like more innocent times, don’t they? But we did it gladly, and I’d do it again if asked. The NHS is perhaps the best idea, in concept and in reality, that exists in this country. In concept, certainly. In reality? Well, most of the time, yes. However, let’s be honest.
Don't take a chance - get help to beat gambling addiction
This year Citizens Advice Scotland launched the Gambling Support Service, a new project that aims to adapt our network to support people who are experiencing gambling harms. Over half of all adults in Britain participate in some form of gambling and official statistics estimate that two million are experiencing some level of gambling harm, including over 430,000 ‘problem gamblers’. The very nature of gambling means that it is often a hidden addiction.
More on China pollution and the coronavirus cover story
Destructive nature of air pollution in Chinese cities By Jon Rappoport —— Bio and Archives--March 3, 2020 World | Comments | Print Friendly | Subscribe | First, I want to mention 5G technology, which, according to reports, has been widely deployed in Wuhan, “the epicenter of the China epidemic.” Readers have sent me links to articles and videos that highlight human damage caused by 5G. I’m aware of this damage.
Scottish tourism targeting the top
New draft strategy aims to build on success of 2020 vision By Jonathan Watt SCOTLAND is gunning to be the world leader in 21st century tourism by 2030 – that’s the ultimate goal of Scotland’s new draft tourism strategy, which was revealed at the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA) Annual Autumn Conference.
Value in EK pub's values
Historic bar slakes the thirst for authenticity By Jonathan Watt AS far as savvy on-trade business decisions go, Mitchell Haxton’s 1953 judgement to buy The Montgomerie Arms in The Village conservation area of East Kilbride must be up there with the best.
Calls for post-Brexit staff plan
UK Government migration policies ‘will close businesses’ Johnson government panned over migration By Jonathan Watt THE UK Government has been accused of being in “cloud cuckoo land” over post-Brexit migration, as calls for a more flexible policy for the hospitality industry in Scotland are amplified.
Bars ordered to keep it inside
External seating plans rejected despite regeneration Street has undergone improvement works By Jonathan Watt OPERATORS on Glasgow’s regenerated Sauchiehall Street have hit out at the city council after being unable to secure permission for outdoor seating. The street has been significantly disrupted over the last 18 months by two major fires, resulting in large sections being closed and causing a serious decline in footfall.
Fringe benefits for city venues
Transport disruption negates biggest ever festival’s perks Licensees bemoaned festival street closures By Jonathan Watt STREET closures, a growing number of pop-up food and drink vendors and spates of bad weather ensured the 2019 Edinburgh Festival was a mixed bag for operators in the capital.
Policies hurting Scottish tourism
Research reveals decline in visitors and spend By Jonathan Watt NEW figures showing a significant decline in the number of international visitors coming to Scotland – and the level of spend during those visits – have prompted fresh calls from the tourism industry for more support from the Scottish Government.
Trade: PM must prevent no-deal
Brexit price rises labelled ‘potentially disastrous’ By Jonathan Watt AVOIDING a no-deal Brexit, tariff-free trading on food and drink from the EU, a flexible immigration policy and cuts in VAT and alcohol excise duties are amongst the Scottish hospitality industry’s pleas to the new prime minister.
Trade: PM must prevent no-deal
Brexit price rises labelled ‘potentially disastrous’ By Jonathan Watt AVOIDING a no-deal Brexit, tariff-free trading on food and drink from the EU, a flexible immigration policy and cuts in VAT and alcohol excise duties are amongst the Scottish hospitality industry’s pleas to the new prime minister.
Operator's view to a grill
PB Devco steaks claim for Aberdeen’s meat lovers New Aberdeen steakhouse Vovem is inspired by Argentinian grilling By Jonathan Watt WHEN it comes to high-end dining experiences, few combinations have endured in the same way as a superior cut of beef and a quality red wine. The age-old pairing forms the nucleus of Aberdeen multiple operator PB Devco’s new 90-cover restaurant, Vovem – a steakhouse and bar which opened in November and draws upon the revered Argentinian approach to grilling.
Alcohol label laws slammed
Alcohol label laws slammed Holyrood is watching new Irish measures “with interest” Ireland has approved new labelling laws. By Jonathan Watt THE potential introduction of Irish-style cancer warnings on alcohol products in Scotland has been described as “ridiculous” by operators and trade groups. Last month in Ireland, the Dáil approved the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill in a bid to combat problem drinking.
Bars boxing clever on big fight nights
Bars boxing clever on big fight nights Pubs preparing to pull in punters again for latest Joshua bout Committee Room No.9 is just one bar benefitting from the resurgence in British boxing By Jonathan Watt ‘LEGACY’ became one of the watchwords of the London 2012 Olympics.
City council in the firing line
City council in the firing line Venues on Glasgow street are at risk of closing down Sauchiehall Street labelled a “disaster” By Jonathan Watt OPERATORS on Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street have criticised the city council for a lack of information as the demolition of Glasgow School of Art’s Mackintosh building gets underway. In addition to devastating the art school, a major fire on June 15 caused serious damage to neighbouring venues, the O2 ABC and Campus.
Bourbon heaven in Glasgow's east end
Bourbon heaven in Glasgow’s east end Operator focuses on US whiskey in debut venue By Jonathan Watt IT’S a truth that we can hold to be self-evident that, culturally, the UK has followed America for decades, be it in film, fashion or food. So it seems pretty prudent on Derek Mallon’s part that, when looking to open his first bar, he peeked across the Atlantic for ideas.
BT overhauls its pricing structure
BT overhauls its pricing structure Broadcaster announces 4.9% price rise ahead of “biggest ever season” New games will boost trade, said Cuthbert By Jonathan Watt A SIGNIFICANT pricing restructure will change the way in which BT Sport’s commercial subscriptions are calculated, as the broadcaster prepares for its “biggest ever season” after changes to the way the UEFA Champions League is broadcast.
A different graduation
A different graduation Former economics student is now mixing it with the bartending best By Jonathan Watt SUMMER has hit in Glasgow. It’s Friday afternoon and students from the city’s university are enjoying post-exam R&R in the sunshine at the neighbouring park. Two minutes away in the flourishing Finnieston district, Jamie Moran, head bartender at the Kelvingrove Café and himself a former economics student at Glasgow University, is about to start his shift.
Scrap the cab tax for venues
Scrap the cab tax for venues Calls for change in HMRC late night staff taxis policy Staff taxis are treated as benefits in kind By Jonathan Watt OPERATORS and trade groups have called for a shake-up in the way HMRC views staff taxis provision, to remove the tax burden on both employers and employees.
Highland group's homage to home
Highland group’s homage to home Cru Holdings takes fresh approach to dining in Inverness. By Jonathan Watt Prime on Ness Walk’s seafood board ITALIAN is a much-loved and substantial segment of the restaurant sector in Scotland and has been for decades. However, when the local market becomes crowded with one type of venue it’s a good idea to change tack. But deciding just what a relaunched eatery will build itself around can prove far from straightforward.
Concerns over taxis for staff law change
Concerns over taxis for staff law change Calls for cab fares to be legal requirement By Jonathan Watt PROPOSALS to force licensees to pay for staff taxis home have been met with disapproval from the on-trade. The Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) and campaign group Better Than Zero met with Scottish Government ministers last week to call for operators to be legally obligated to pay for taxis for their staff after late shifts in a bid to ensure their safety.
DRS mustn't hit pub customers
DRS mustn’t hit pub customers Holyrood pressed for clarity over proposed bottle plan Additional costs have been forecast for the on-trade due to the DRS By Jonathan Watt THE Scottish Government has been urged to confirm that hospitality businesses will not be forced to charge customers extra as part of the deposit return scheme (DRS) for bottles and cans.
Island eatery is best for beer
Island eatery is best for beer Restaurant on Tiree takes top UK-wide award from SIBA Ceabhar co-owner Duncan Castling brews his own ales for customers By Jonathan Watt A REMOTE Scottish restaurant with an adjoining microbrewery has been named the Best Independent Craft Beer Restaurant at the Society of Independent Brewer’s (SIBA) annual Business Awards.
Capital bar takes the party outside
IT is perhaps fitting that one of the UK’s largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations takes place in the Cowgate in Edinburgh’s old town. While the street itself does not bear any of the tricolours or four-leaf clovers that become ubiquitous each year on March 17, the area’s historical links to the Emerald Isle are entrenched, stretching back almost 200 years. In the 19th century, the area housed many of the capital’s Irish immigrant community and became known as ‘Little Ireland’.
Capital licensee digging for victory
Capital licensee digging for victory Hibs fan Kevin McGhee has built up a Hearts hub between city cemeteries Kevin McGhee receives his trophy from Hearts’ Christophe Berra for running a great Hearts pub – despite following Hibs. By Jonathan Watt FOR a pub situated between two graveyards, The Diggers in Edinburgh has plenty to make its substantial body of patrons smile about.
Rum brand brings the party to Glasgow
Rum brand brings the party to Glasgow Jerry’s Open House commandeers Finnieston warehouse for month of events A MONTH of house parties is set to kick off in Glasgow tomorrow (February 15) as rum brand Sailor Jerry takes over a warehouse in the Finnieston area of the city. Jerry’s Open House will be based on Houldsworth Street, with the venue decked out in the spiced rum’s trademark branding, which is inspired by naval tattooist Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins.
City cocktail kings go underground
City cocktail kings go underground Sam Baxendale and Jody Buchan aiming to challenge conventions at Kin Mixing it up: Sam Baxendale and Jody Buchan want to challenge conventions with their new bar’s cocktail offer By Jonathan Watt UNDERNEATH the famous Georgian architecture of Edinburgh’s new town, two of the city’s best-known mixologists are striking out on their own with a fresh approach to cocktails.
Capital hotel levy under fire
Capital hotel levy under fire Edinburgh council proposes tax on visitors to the city By Jonathan Watt EDINBURGH City Council is pursuing additional tax powers from the Scottish Government to implement a new charge on visitors in the face of widespread consternation from the hospitality industry.
Radial Versus Femoral Access for Rotational Atherectomy
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Staff abuse Bill to be tabled
Staff abuse Bill to be tabled By Jonathan Watt VIOLENCE against bar and retail staff could soon result in heavier sentencing after a Labour MSP announced he would bring a Member’s Bill to address the issue before the Scottish Parliament.
Abolish ten-year licences
Abolish ten-year licences Trade calls for personal licences to last a ‘lifetime’ By Jonathan Watt SENIOR figures in the licensed trade have called on the Scottish Government to scrap the ten-year lifespan of personal licences, advocating that licences should last for a ‘lifetime’ once they are acquired. At present, thousands of personal licences are up for renewal in 2019 as the initial set of licences issued under the 2005 Licensing (Scotland) Act approaches expiration.
Tourism tax call slammed | Scottish Licensed Trade News
Tourism tax call slammed Operators on Skye say visitor levy is ‘not the answer’ By Jonathan Watt CALLS for the introduction of a tourist tax on the Isle of Skye as a means of funding the island’s overburdened infrastructure have been castigated by those involved in the sector, who have instead urged the Scottish Government to take action.
Glasgow's taste of the west coast | Scottish Licensed Trade News
Glasgow’s taste of the west coast Ardnamurchan brings some of Scotland’s best regional produce to the city By Jonathan Watt LOCATED in the heart of Scotland’s west coast, an hour’s drive south from Mallaig, sits the remote area of Ardnamurchan, a 50 square-mile peninsula that provides mainland Britain with its most westerly point, Corrachadh Mòr. The land is off the beaten track of the Highland tourist route, accessible only by a single-track road. It’s undisturbed and tranquil.
Calls for trade straw charge | Scottish Licensed Trade News
Calls for trade straw charge Proposed 5p charge on plastic straws has split trade By Jonathan Watt THE on-trade is divided over calls to introduce a mandatory 5p charge for plastic straws in licensed venues. Waste management company BusinessWaste.co.uk, which proposed the levy, said it would lead to a dramatic reduction in the number of straws used and the environmental damage caused by wasted plastic.
Former manager takes the helm | Scottish Licensed Trade News
IT has been a long voyage for Declan Curran; one leading from his hometown of Wexford, in the south of Ireland, all the way across the Irish Sea and up the Firth of Clyde stopping off in Paisley before setting off again through the hills and lochs of Argyll to the picturesque enclave of Oban. The passionate Irishman now says he is “living the dream” after becoming his own boss as owner of The Lorne, the bar he managed for two different pub groups between 2004 and 2015.
Stents versus bypass surgery for left main stem stenosis
The recent Article by Timo Mäkikallio and colleagues (Dec 3, p 2743)1x1Mäkikallio, T, Holm, NR, Lindsay, M et al. Percutaneous coronary angioplasty versus coronary artery bypass grafting in treatment of unprotected left main stenosis (NOBLE): a prospective, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial. Lancet.
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