Brewer bemused

THE boss of Tennent’s Lager has admitted to The Bottom Line that the impact made by the brand’s new visitor centre in Glasgow has taken him by surprise.

Brand owner C&C Group has invested more than £1m in the facility at the Wellpark Brewery, where the aim is to bring the Tennent’s story – which dates back to the 1500s – to life.

And it has already attracted celebrity visitors such as Line of Duty star Martin Compston.

Chief executive Stephen Glancey said the ultimate ambition is to attract as many as 50,000 beer fans a year but admitted that if he had been told 10 years ago that thousands of beer fans would be flocking to the east end of Glasgow looking at the history of Tennent’s “I would have been bemused, but it’s working.” He added. “All of those guys (celebrities) come through and they post it on social media. It’s brilliant.”

TV Challenges

WHAT does an Edinburgh-based international development consultant and the Ghanaian version of television show The Apprentice have in common?

The Bottom Line has learned Simon Turner, country director of Challenges, is currently appearing as a tough-talking judge on the McDan Entrepreneurship Challenge. The show, run entrepreneur Daniel McKorley of the McDan Group, offers the winner $100,000 to invest in their business.

It is unclear whether episodes conclude with luckless contestants leaving the room with the words “You’re fired!” ringing in their ears.

Challenges, which was established in 1999, supports the development of SMEs in countries across Africa.

Toasting sport

BACK at Tennent’s and bosses will be hoping new Scotland chief Steve Clarke is able to turn around the fortunes of the national team.

Stephen Glancey said he had no desire to criticise previous managers, but said the success of the Scottish rugby and football teams are “good for Tennent’s and good for Scotland”.

I think most of us would drink to that.