A BUSY pub in Barrhead is hoping to taste victory in the final of a national hospitality competition.

Staff at the Cross Stobbs Inn are in with a chance of scooping the award for best independent bar at the Entertainment and Hospitality Awards.

The family-run pub on Grahamston Road will go up against nine other venues across Scotland in the best independent bar category.

Owner Jonathan Wengel said: “We are chuffed to bits about getting into the final 10 for our category.

“The pub only opened 14 months ago and is run by my wife and I so it is great to get this recognition.

“I think what has made us stand out is that we like to do things differently and are a little bit quirky.

“We focus on a great standard of service and price for our customers which they appreciate based on their feedback.

“I’m looking forward to the going along to the finals - it has been brilliant to have been nominated.

“We are so grateful to everyone who voted for us and it would be a credit to Barrhead if we did win.”

This year’s event received more nominations and votes than ever before with more than 3,000 venues taking part.

Public voting closed this month and 120 venues have now been shortlisted as the nation’s favourites.

In Renfrewshire, Tapas at Singh’s at Braehead, Pandamonium Soft Play in Erskine, Erskine Bridge Hotel and the Normandy Hotel in Renfrew are all up for prizes.

The Braehead venue is going for best newcomer, while Erskine’s soft play hopes to scoop best family day out.

Both the Erskine Bridge Hotel and Normandy are going head to head for the best entertainment venue award.

Pandamonium Soft Play manger Jennifer McNaughton and directors John Hay and Alan Arnott are delighted to be final 10 for best family day out.

The team said: “We are so happy to be voted as one of the best in Scotland, especially since we are a young business of four years.

“It is great to have the recognition and support from the public who voted for us.

“We are more than a play centre - it is important to go that extra mile to entertain kids and to ensure that our events, customer service and facilities are second to none.

“There were 148 entrants in this category so being in the top 10 is fantastic.

“This would be great for Renfrewshire if we did win.”

It’s now down to the individual venues to wow the secret judges currently touring the country and all winners will be announced at the gala final in Glasgow’s Merchant Square on May 7.