In October, the Trust Inns marketing team embarked on a trip from the head office in Chorley to Scotland, where we visited and interviewed several tenants across our Scottish estate.
Old Swan Inn – Paisley
Our first stop was the Old Swan Inn, a lovely, friendly pub situated right in the centre of Paisley. Jacqui is the tenant here and has been for over 16 years. Her mum ran the pub for 9 years before Jacqui took it over, and they recently marked their 25-year anniversary—a long-lasting tenant story driven by family passion. We wanted to hear Jacqui’s story about the Old Swan and what makes it hers.
Starting with some background, we asked how she would describe the pub and the locals. She stated:
“I would describe it as a fantastic community pub. We have gotten to know everyone; we know their friends and family. People on their own or couples end up making friends with each other—it’s a real community here. It’s so much more than a bar where you typically don’t chat to people you don’t know. Everyone here gets to know everyone because people feel welcome.”
In terms of the locals, she went on to say:
“We are really big on watching how we serve and looking after the people in our pub, making sure they are comfortable. I think that’s why they keep coming back. The locals appreciate what we do here.”. From Trust Inns’ point of view, it is amazing to see the impact our tenants have on their communities.
The Old Swan is a multi-award-winning venue. In August this year, the pub won Best Night Out Venue and the prestigious Buddie Best Business Award! We asked Jacqui what it meant personally to have the Old Swan recognised with various awards. She replied:
“It just solidifies what we are doing. It feels good to know we are getting it right.”
The Old Swan holds live music seven days a week, and Jacqui stated that she always tries to keep events and live acts fresh in order to keep people interested. When asked about her favourite memory or gig at the pub, she said:
“I would say Tea in the Swan. It was around two years after ‘Tea in the Park’ ended, and everyone was gutted about it because in Scotland it’s such a big thing. So I decided to do it at the Old Swan. We did a band an hour, nine bands, music inside and outside, we had a vintage stall, an outdoor bar, lots of pop-up stuff—it was like the festival. We have been doing it for around eight years now, and every year we sell out the tickets.”. So if you haven’t experienced the buzz of the Old Swan yet, make sure to stop by if you’re nearby.
Finally, we asked Jacqui about her partnership with Trust Inns and how it has helped shape the pub. She described it as “a good support network,” and from our conversation, it’s clear her relationship with the Scottish BDM, Pete, has been incredibly supportive. Jacqui shared: “Pete is a company man, but he will fight for us all the way.”
Davidsons – Renfrew
Secondly, we visited Michelle and Iain at Davidson’s in Renfrew, located right on the town centre’s main street. They also run two other pubs within the Trust Inns estate: the Horseshoe Bar in Greenock, which they’ve ran for six years, and more recently obtained the Anvil Inn, in Glasgow.
We asked them how they would describe their pubs, the atmosphere, and the locals. They shared, “All are entertainment-driven and community-focused. For example, darts is a really big thing for us.”
When describing the atmosphere, they said, “It’s a safe and welcoming space. We have regulars who often sit in the same spot every time. We know people by name and prioritise building those relationships. We especially want solo visitors to feel comfortable—they know they’ll be looked after.” It’s clear that creating this “safe second home” vibe is central to how Michelle and Iain run their pubs, and they have been successful in achieving it. Their approach ensures that every visitor feels valued, comfortable, and part of the community. Both shared stories and reflected on their journey so far, highlighting the incredible changes they’ve made, events they’ve organised, and the challenges they’ve faced along the years. We were particularly interested in hearing about their proudest moments. Michelle shared, “I would say the annual fundraiser for Euan’s Cause. The money goes to Glasgow’s children’s hospital, and knowing that we raise such an incredible amount each year in memory of Euan is a truly proud moment for us.” It’s wonderful to see so many tenants coming together, supporting great causes, and making a real difference in their community.
Chandlers – Clydebank
Previously run by Chris’s father, the pub has been revitalised under Chris’s leadership. It features two bars—one with a strong sports focus and the other designed to attract younger individuals and students. The success of these changes is clear and continues to shine throughout the entire venue. Chris said he wants to push live music more in the coming year so we look forward to the events he may have in store.