A manager has been appointed to run the new Orkney Brewery visitor centre, due to open its doors later this month.
Joyce Slater joins the team at Quoyloo from Skills Development Scotland’s Kirkwall office, where she worked as manager.
Dumfriesshire born Joyce has over 20 years experience in the training, development and careers sectors, though she also possesses an extensive track record in the catering and hospitality field. Her parents owned Orkney’s Tormiston Mill restaurant and craft shop, with Joyce working as catering manageress in the popular tourist attraction between 1977 and 1991.
Joyce, who lives in Sandwick with husband Rae, is now working hard to ensure the new Orkney Brewery visitor centre is ready for business.
“I’m very excited and enthusiastic about the creation of the visitor centre,” said Joyce, who’s recently been getting a thorough grounding in every stage of the production process from Orkney Brewery’s skilled brewing team. “My role as centre manager marks a return to a field I’m passionate about and I’m really looking forward to helping visitors enjoy what promises to be a fantastic experience.“
The opening of the new centre marks the completion of a major £1.2 million redevelopment of the Orkney Brewery that began in 2009. Since then production at the Quoyloo site has more than doubled, with the brewery now hand crafting over a dozen award-winning beers.
Visitors to the new centre will be able to view the full brewing process during informative and entertaining guided tours, with samples from the Orkney Brewery range available to try. Local fayre will be on offer in the centre’s restaurant, with its shop stocking Orkney crafts and gifts, along with Orkney Brewery beers and branded clothing. The centre will also be available for private parties and group meetings.
Norman Sinclair, managing director of Sinclair Breweries Ltd, said: “We’re delighted to have someone of Joyce’s calibre managing our new visitor centre and we’re certain she’ll be a great ambassador for the company. She shares our vision for the project and has just the right combination of skills, experience and personality to help ensure the visitor centre becomes a flagship attraction in Orkney.”
Further details on the visitor centre’s official opening will be published shortly.
ENDS
Note to newsdesks: A picture of Joyce Slater outside the Orkney Brewery accompanies this release.
For further information contact:
Norman Sinclair, Managing Director,
Sinclair Breweries Ltd.
Tel: 01667 404 555
Issued: Tuesday 3 July 2012.