The Bowman mob muscle into to scoop our Pub of the Year title

Jul 6 2008 By Heather Greenaway

THE BOWMAN mob muscled in on our Pub of the Year award...and beat the big city players on their own patch.

Dressed as 1920s gangsters and molls the team from The Station Buffet Bar, run by Radio 1 star Edith's younger brother Alex, took the top prize.

Even Alex's 87-year-old gran Mabel got into the prohibition-era spirit in a flapper dress and boa.

The cosy pub in Elie, Fife, won plaudits for its warm and welcoming atmosphere, great food, friendly staff and great selection of drinks.

Alex, 27, was thrilled to pick up the famous Sunday Mail Pub of the Year prize mirror at a speakeasy-themed awards bash in Glasgow's Thistle Hotel.

He said: "I'm still in shock. I never dreamed we'd win. Ours is just a small village pub and I thought we did not stand a chance up against big city pubs."

The Station Buffet Bar, which attracts customers from across the East Neuk, is famous for its hot crab sandwiches and charity fundraisers.

Alex puts the pub's success down to its punters and threw a celebration karaoke party on Friday night to thank them. He said: "My customers are fantastic and without them voting for us we would never have made it to the final."

The Fife pub beat off stiff competition from The Croft in Croftfoot, Glasgow; The Fox and Hounds in Houston, Renfrewshire, and Niki's Bar in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, to clinch the title.

Susan Young, awards organiser and editor of The Dram magazine, visited the final four with fellow judge Elaine Scott - a landlady for 30 years.

Atmosphere

Susan said: "It was a very close call but the warm welcome we got in Elie put the Station Buffet Bar at No.1.

"The pub had immaculate service, was spotlessly clean and had a fantastic atmosphere."

In all 16 pubs, clubs and individuals were recognised at last week's ceremony.

Susan added: "At a time when this trade is facing considerable problems it's great to recognise Scotland's best."

THE WINNERS ARE:

RONNIE CLYDESDALE - who launched the famous UbiquitousChip in Glasgow's Ashton Lane - led theway at the Scottish Licensed Trade Awards, picking up a Lifetime Achievement Award from Susan Young.

The other winners are:

Sunday Mail Pub Of The Year - Station Buffet Bar, Elie, Fife

Asahi New Bar Of The Year - The Balmoral Bar, Edinburgh

Brown-Forman Young Entrepreneur Of The Year - Nic Wood, Signature Pubs.

CPL Sales Representative of the Year - Peter Powell

Diageo Classic Malts Whisky Bar Of The Year - Taychreggan Hotel & Restaurant, West Ferry, Angus

Foster's Multiple Operator Of The Year - Buzzworks Group, Colin Blair

Glencairn Crystal Whisky Ambassador Of The Year - Ken Lindsay

Kopparberg Bar Personality Of The Year - Rachael Gregson lMaclachlan's Beer Pub of the Year - The Market Arms, Montrose

Maxxium UK Bar Apprentice Of The Year - Terri Brotherston

Red Bull Coolest Bar of the Year - Moskito, Glasgow

Repertoire Cocktail Bar Of The Year - Monteiths, Edinburgh

Vodkapom Nightclub Of The Year - Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh

Wallaces Express Gastro Pub Of The Year - The Oak Tree Inn, Balmaha, Stirlingshire

DRAM Licensees Of The Year - Josie & Malcolm Binnie, Townhouse Restaurants

SUNDAY EMAIL

h.greenaway@sundaymail.co.uk