Our people
Ally - General Manager
Alston Bar & Beef
Meet Ally
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Why did you choose to work for us?
It was a friend that recommended me to work for Glendola, they had already worked for a few years with the company and felt like I would enjoy it far better than my old one.
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Tell us about your story so far?
I worked from Bar Staff up to Assistant Manager in Waxy’s Glasgow over a period of five years, before being asked to move as Senior Assistant Manager at Frankenstein's in Edinburgh. I was there for a year and really enjoyed the challenge of a new venue and clientele. I then left the company for a year and a half to take up a GM role in a cocktail bar in Edinburgh called The Huxley. Despite loving my time there the company structure and training was never at the same level and when I was being asked to apply for Alston Bar & Beef I was certainly delighted.
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What do you get up to on a typical day/shift?
I try to get organised for my day or week ahead spending as much time as I can before we open arranging and sorting stuff for the day ahead, after we open I try to touch base with every customer group we have. Whether that be for drinks or in the restaurant.
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What do you like most about working here?
I like the pride we have in all our venues, the investment into the buildings and businesses make them a proud place to work and with training actively encouraged instead of having to be pursued, you can go as far as you push yourself to go.
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What’s been your biggest achievement so far?
Winning a number of accolades at Alston Bar & Beef including Restaurant of the Year.
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What makes someone successful here?
I tend to find people that are successful in this company are hardworking, driven, but very sociable. I think it is important to find the correct balance in an industry that requires a good amount of hours on your feet and talking to people. The team spirit always seems to be very strong in Glendola units, and I think that can be said in work and out of it.
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Tell us about the training and development…
I've pretty much been through it all with Glendola, in house training with your units as well as Whisky and Wine courses. I then was on Buddy training courses before completing my MDP and becoming a fully trained assistant. Training never stops here as our industry certainly never does and I love that we try to stay at the forefront.
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What is it really like to work here?
It's good hard work with massive rewards. In Alston we are lucky to have amazing surroundings and a special atmosphere. You can have the best Scottish beef and the best selection of gin in town, but without our service style and atmosphere we would be only that. It’s the full package that seems to make us feel special.
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What do you think makes us unique as an employer?
A family owned business, that takes time to get to know all its staff and invest money into their training from day one is so rare. Training courses with good rewards and a personal touch are fantastic. Even just the chance to have dinner and a chat with your senior Ops teams and owners is something very different.
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What would you say to someone who was thinking of applying?
Just do it, I hear people all the time say “but I have such great friends here at my job, even though we all hate it”. Well guess what? You will make new friends and you won’t hate your new job, it could be the start of an amazing career.
A bit more about you...
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What is your favourite story (film, play or book)?
Film – Pulp Fiction
Play – The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Book – The Wasp Factory – Iain Banks, or anything by Terry Pratchett
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What’s your favourite song?
Tough one
Holocene by Bon Iver
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If you could invite anyone to a dinner party, which 4 people would you choose?
Derren Brown
Barack Obama
Simon Pegg
Terry Pratchett
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What would be your ideal holiday destination and why?
Cape Town, or anywhere whale watching.
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