Signature Group Business Spotlight

I’ve been with the company for almost seven years now! What started as a six-month stopgap job at The Fountain Bar quickly grew into something much more. That role evolved into management, then into managing reservations and events at Cold Town House, followed by leading the reservations team across the wider group. Today, I’m Brand & Marketing Manager for Cold Town Beer and Signature Group. I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given so many opportunities along the way. My journey is a real success story that shows what can happen when hard work, passion and dedication are recognised and nurtured. Signature Group has always believed in developing talent from within, and I’m proud to be a product of that culture.

Edinburgh’s heritage and history make it a spectacular city for both visitors and locals to explore, and hospitality sits right at the heart of that experience. With 14 venues across the city, we’re proud to offer something for everyone, each with its own distinct personality and brand. Edinburgh has an incredible hospitality scene, and while many of those brilliant bars and restaurants are technically our competition, we genuinely believe we need one another. A thriving hospitality ecosystem benefits everyone, venues, staff, locals and visitors alike, and we’re very lucky to be part of such a supportive and vibrant city.

Absolutely. Wherever possible, we celebrate Edinburgh’s history and the stories behind our venues. The Auld Hundred, for example, is believed to be the oldest pub on Rose Street, and we love sharing those kinds of details with our guests. Cold Town Beer is poured across all of our venues, and its story is deeply rooted in Edinburgh’s brewing heritage. We’ve recently launched a new range of glassware featuring iconic Scottish landmarks, including several from Edinburgh, and with Cold Town House based in the Grassmarket, the city is truly ingrained in everything we do.

Sustainability and accessibility are ongoing priorities for us. We’re constantly reviewing how we operate to reduce waste, improve energy efficiency and make more conscious supplier choices where possible. Many of our venues have taken steps to reduce single-use plastics, minimise food waste and operate more responsibly behind the scenes. Accessibility is just as important. We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable in our venues, so we continue to look at how we can improve layouts, communication and staff training to ensure a positive experience for all guests. It’s an evolving journey, and one we’re fully committed to.

Breakfast at Greenwoods is a must. From there, a wander through the city soaking up the atmosphere, maybe a visit to a local exhibition (Johnnie Walker and the National Gallery are fab) or a walk along the Water of Leith. A late lunch or early dinner somewhere cosy, followed by drinks with friends in one of Edinburgh’s many brilliant bars- ideally finishing with live music or a show during festival season.

The Port of Leith Distillery. It’s such an impressive space and experience- a brilliant example of modern Scottish distilling done right.

The Fringe, without question. I always make the most of it when it’s here. We’re so lucky to host a festival that people travel from all over the world to experience. The sheer volume of talent in one city is incredible, and it’s easily the highlight of the year.

We’re always looking to grow and evolve. In the not-too-distant future, we hope to open more venues for locals and visitors to enjoy. Alongside that, we’re constantly investing in our existing spaces to ensure they feel fresh, relevant and exciting, while staying true to what makes each venue special.