Ahead of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, 8 March, DRAM celebrates just a few of Scotland’s inspirational female general managers who are making their mark on the licensed trade.
Today, we speak to Gayle Copland, who has been General Manager of popular Dundee wine bar The Wine Press from Day One. She chats about taking on a new challenge, her career so far and seeing The Wine Press succeed.
Name: Gayle Copland
Role: General Manager, The Wine Press
Location: Dundee
Age: 30
The Wine Press on Dundee’s Shore Terrace has flourished after opening in August 2015, with Gayle Copland at the helm as General Manager.
The role was Gayle’s first GM appointment having previously worked with Maclay Inns at Brae Sports Bar, also in Dundee, and she’s taken the new challenge in her stride.
With a total of 12 years experience under her belt Gayle loves working in the trade and the Wine Press is flourishing – in fact, it’s packed every weekend.
Gayle puts it down to her knowledgable team and owner Patrick Rohde who has sent her on a number of wine courses, including a trip to France.
She said, “Starting a place from scratch, in my first GM role, could have been a massive risk but we’ve poured everything into it and more than a year on we’re getting busier all the time.”
She adds, “We’re a small team of eight so my job involves everything from putting the food platters together to profit/loss management, wages and generally making sure everything goes smoothly.
“The first year has been fantastic! I would say a solid 75% of clientele are repeat customers, with the V&A opening near us it will just get busier I hope!”
Gayle adds, “I see myself staying in the trade 100% maybe not FOH forever but definitely for the near future. I love that every day is different and it’s so great meeting new people everyday and having them enjoy it here.”
Drink of choice: I drink more wine now but I still love a really nice vodka.
Proudest moment: Reaching the first year here. It’s the first time I’ve been a GM and it’s a new business and it’s flourishing, we’re getting busier week on week!
Star sign: Aries
Click below to meet more inspirational general managers in the Scottish on-trade
Therese Grethe, Waxy O’Connors, Glasgow
Helen Taylor, The Anchor, Broughty Ferry
Geraldine Murphy, The Pot Still, Glasgow
Babs Steele, The Allison Arms, Glasgow
Rozlynn Gavin, The Applebank Inn, Larkhall
Nicola Haslam, The Seven Kings, Dunfermline
Sandy Gourlay, Oran Mor, Glasgow
Lynda McGaw, The Parkville Hotel, Blantyre