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Team effort and ‘proper, good old fashioned customer service’ is helping Edinburgh’s Pilgrim Bar in The Cowgate buck the trend of faltering viability in wet-led outlets. Pilgrim Bar’s new manager Samuel Leishman also credited the venue’s recent £20k refurbishment, together with an investment in live sports channels, for helping it achieve a 15% growth in turnover over the past few years. With a ten-year background in hospitality, Leishman is excited to be heading up the Robertson’s Close business, which he described as ‘a quirky, vintage chic’ cocktail bar. As the festive season approaches, he expects to see the Pilgrim’s workforce rise from fourteen to eighteen people, and will be aiming to hire staff who can provide superior customer service. “Things are going to be very busy over the next few months, said Leishman. “I’m looking forward to having the best people in my team. Looking after our customers is very important. “I think it’s fantastic that this business can sustain a staff of eighteen people, and that our owners are committed to continual investment. We have new furniture, decoration and soft furnishings, our interior is looking great.” He stressed that Pilgrim customers enjoy the traditional bar experience – going up to the bar to be served – rather than static table service. “They’re looking for that interaction with other people as only standing at a bar can bring. They’re looking for the banter with our staff as well. We can provide this in a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment. “It’s a proper night out in a relaxed setting which is that little bit different in the City.” One of Pilgrim’s trio of owners, Daniel Harrison, added: “We are very lucky to have experienced and passionate people like Sam on board here at Pilgrim Bar. “It’s not been the best of times for the licence trade over the past few years, particularly as concerns the wet led unit. But we are showing that working together as a team, investing in your business, and supporting your workforce, can make a success of it. “Our plans are most definitely to grow within the capital. Sam is very much a part of this focus as we move forward.”
