Niki's Bar nominated for national award

Published 4 Aug 2010 15:06 2 Comments

IT is renowned for its sports teams and its stovies. And now a family run pub in Galashiels has been shortlisted in the Community Pub of the Year category at the Scottish Licensed Trade Awards.

Niki's Lounge Bar, based in Balmoral, will be visited by the competition's judges early next week. And the winners will be announced at a gala dinner in Glasgow's Hilton Hotel on Thursday, October 21.

The nomination comes just two years after the bar was named a finalist in a national Pub of the Year competition.

Local landlady Niki Fitzgerald, along with her husband Richard, son Norman and his wife Susan, have served the local community for the past 22 years. She welcomed the announcement this week but revealed it wouldn't have been made possible without the support of the estate's residents - the bar's regulars.

Speaking to the Border Telegraph, Niki, who is well known for her local charity work, said: "It's just like one big family."

As well as boasting two pool teams, two dart teams, and two domino teams, the bar also sponsors a number of local football, rugby, bowling and cricket teams in the town, as well as the local pipe band.

Niki, who also runs an outside catering business and puts on a free spread at the bar whenever they hold a function, has also raised thousands of pounds for charity over the past three decades - despite being struck down by Obstructed Airwaves Disease, which can make it difficult for her to breath.

She began fundraising for the special unit of a local hospital after the mother of one of her regular's was admitted to the ward. And, with the support of her customers, has continued to donate to various good causes, hosting numerous charity events from coffee mornings to charity head shaves, every year since.

Earlier this year, the bar raised money for the family of a severely disabled boy to pay for private swimming lessons which required the closure of the pool.

However, the big-hearted barmaid, who was invited to the opening of the Scottish Parliament and the Queen's garden party at Holyrood House in recognition of her charity work, revealed cancer charities remained close to her heart after she lost one of her friends to Leukaemia.

Niki, who turns 63 later this year, said: "I do it because I love doing it, although I'm not so fit now. I just think it's nice to put something back into the community. After all, people have always been kind to me." And she added: "Whenever we plan to do something, like a fundraiser or a party night, everyone gets involved."

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• 

  Amanda
  Unregistered User
  Aug 20, 19:31
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  I think Niki is amazing, if only there were more people like her in the world !!!
  
  Gr8 bar too. Hope you win
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

• 

  Caroline
  Unregistered User
  Sep 8, 16:54
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  It was great to read article.I agree it would be fantastic if Niki won.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 0     No 0

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