Meze Meze and usta in Finnieston scoop the Robertson Silver Spade in Let Glasgow Flourish Awards

Hospitality businesses swept the board at this year's Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow 'Let Glasgow Flourish' awards, held at Glasgow's Trades Hall on 20 February!

Article Source: Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow
Last Updated: 23 February 2024 11:54

The awards celebrate the wonderful floral and horticultural displays put on by businesses in the city, which provide a welcoming environment for residents and visitors alike.

Finnieston-based Meze Meze and its sister restaurant usta scooped the top award, The Robertson Silver Spade, for their magnificent floral displays. Other restaurant winners included Gloriosa, Elena’s, The Butchershop, Mharsanta and Amore. The Ben Nevis, Dram, The Steps Bar, The Maltman, Citation, The Corinthian Club and Piper Whisky Bar were among some of the prize-winning bars. Hotels Radisson RED, Kimpton Blythswood Square, Malmaison and Argyll Hotel were also winners. Other organisations, including solicitors, health centres, places of worship and coffee shops, achieved awards for their window boxes, planters, and floral displays.

Commenting on their success, Meze Meze & usta owner, Hadi Seyed Tabatabaeyan, said: “We're delighted to have won The Robertson Silver Spade at the Let Glasgow Flourish awards. We're really proud of our floral displays at Meze Meze and usta and aspire to play our part in making Glasgow a flourishing and welcoming place for local, national and international visitors.”

This year’s judging extended to the south side, where a variety of local businesses received accolades. Gold winners are: Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib, Victoria Bar, HF Group and Queen’s Park Café. Social enterprise, ApparelXchange CIC and Hugs and Mugs café both won silver awards, while Brooklyn Café and The GRIND House took home bronze awards.

Commenting on the awards, Janet Pierotti, Deacon of the Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow, said: “We're thrilled to present this year's Let Glasgow Flourish awards. Many congratulations to Meze Meze and usta on winning the Robertson Silver Spade and to all the gold, silver and bronze winners. The awards are now in their 41st year and this year’s event is our biggest in recent years. We were delighted that so many businesses and other organisations could come along. We’d like to extend a huge thanks to all of them for taking part and helping make our city a blooming and welcoming place for visitors and locals to enjoy.”

Members of the Incorporation’s Master Court roamed the streets of Glasgow during the first two weeks in August 2023, while the flowers were in full bloom, and awarded points for each display they found, culminating in a shortlist of finalists.

The awards ceremony was attended by representatives from the Incorporation of Gardeners and the wider Trades House crafts and associated organisations, along with 60 local businesses and organisations who won awards. Awards were presented by Deacon of the Incorporation of Gardeners, Janet Pierotti, and Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren. The overall prize is The Robertson Silver Spade, which the winner keeps for one year. Bronze and silver winners received certificates and gold winners received certificates and trophies.

The awards were launched in 1983 by the Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow and the Robertson Silver Spade was first awarded in 1992. Prizes are given at three different levels and presented to businesses and not-for-profit organisations in the city, which create and maintain an arboreal or floral display of a high standard. The awards are available for projects from simple hanging baskets and window box displays, to larger impressive and ambitious plantings.

The Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow was founded around 1605 as a trade guild to protect the gardening and horticulture trade in the city. It now operates solely as a charity, giving significant grants each year to not-for-profit gardening projects in the city, recently including support for projects at The Beatson, as well as The Children's Wood in the North Kelvinside area. The Incorporation also provides study bursaries to gardening and horticultural students.

The full list of award winners is as follows:

‘LET GLASGOW FLOURISH’ AWARD WINNERS 2023 (AWARDED FEBRUARY 2024)

BRONZE
Brooklyn Café
Florida Park
Gildeas Solicitors
Hampton Court Guest House
Kimpton Blythswood Square
Koolba
Merchant Chippie
Rab Ha’s
Radisson RED
The Arlington
The Ben Nevis
The Doublet
The Drum and Monkey
The Griffin
The Grumpy Barista
The McMillan
The Robertson Trust
The State Bar
Westbourne Medical Studios

SILVER
Mharsanta
The Corinthian Club
Holy Cross Parish Church
Clockwork Bar and Restaurant
Molly Malone’s
The Horseshoe Bar
aBode Hotel
Kothel
The Hengler’s Circus
Woolgar Hunter
La Vita Pizzeria
Piper Whisky Bar
Malmaison Hotel
The Citizen
Bread Meats Bread
Connelly’s
The Maltman
Cairns Bar
Café Andaluz
Times Square
The Crystal Palace
The Steps Bar
Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church
The Islay Inn
Murphy’s Pakora Bar
Baitul Rahman Mosque
The Butchershop
Gloriosa
Virgin Money
The GRIND House
St Ninian’s Episcopal Church
Queen of the South Hair and Beauty
ApparelXchange CIC
Hugs & Mugs
Citation
St Andrews West Church and Renfield Centre
Pavement

GOLD
Argyll Hotel
Elena’s
Dram
Browns
Gurdwara Guru Granth Sahib
Minnesota Fats Snooker Club
The Ivy
Queen’s Park Café
Amore
HF Group
Victoria Bar

ROBERTSON SILVER SPADE
Meze Meze
usta

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes

Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.

The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment

Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.

Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations

Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!

Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.

Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup

Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.

Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio

Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.

New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden

Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.

Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026

The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.

Medea to tour Scotland in 2026

Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).

The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025

From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.

Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail

Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!

KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End

The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.

Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland

Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!

Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026

The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!

Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow

The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!

Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres

Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.

Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future

Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.

Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026

Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.

Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026

Scotland's biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free.

Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.

Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic

This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.

SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible

For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.

Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep

Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.

Glasgow Taxis Cup returns for its 21st year in 2026

Now in its twenty-first year, Glasgow Taxis Cup, will see more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17+ sports in 21+ events!

Hidden treasures of Murrayfield

Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.

Christmas Songbook to take festive cheer to Glasgow

Scotland's iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic in Glasgow this December!

Breaking the Silence Gig: Last Minute Tickets available for Oran Mor

Last-minute tickets are still available for JJ “Jinky” Gilmour’s Breaking the Silence show at Oran Mor on Thursday 27th November.

Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal

Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December

Festive days out to make the most of the season

From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.

SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu

Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.

Popular Listings

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum King's Theatre Glasgow King Tut's Wah Wah Hut O2 Academy Glasgow SEC Armadillo Theatre Royal Glasgow The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow The Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall The OVO Hydro

Meze Meze and usta in Finnieston scoop the Robertson Silver Spade in Let Glasgow Flourish Awards

Hospitality businesses swept the board at this year's Incorporation of Gardeners of Glasgow 'Let Glasgow Flourish' awards, held at Glasgow's Trades Hall on 20 February!

Sponsored Links

Latest Glasgow News

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Listings