Renfrew hotel 'bans' mince pies in bid to cut down on food waste and costs over Christmas

A Scottish hotel has “banned” mince pies in a bid to reduce the amount of food waste it generates over the festive period.

The Glynhill Hotel & Spa in Renfrew, near Glasgow airport, will not serve mince pies at all this Christmas season after years of “low demand and high wastage”.

The decision marks the first time in the hotel’s 53-year history that mince pies will not be served.

Residents and revellers at the hotel this Christmas will instead be offered a host of popular dessert options such a cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, mixed fruit pavlova and banana splits.

Willie Millar, chef at the Glynhill Hotel & Spa. Supplied

Willie Millar, chef at the family-owned hotel, called the decision a “no-brainer” due to less people wanting to end their festive meals with a mince pie.

Mr Millar said: “Every year, we buy them, we serve them, then with a very few exceptions we bin them – which feels like an awful waste.

“Not very many people at all seem to like them, even less want them at the end of their meal, so it feels like a bit of a no-brainer to simply ban them this Christmas and focus on offering desserts and sweet treats which our customers do want.

“We think we might be the first venue in Scotland to remove mince pies from their Christmas menus but it’s in line with customer feedback – and will also mean a reduction in wastage which can only be a good thing.

“Bye bye mince pies. Gone … and forgotten!”