Old Glasgow Pubs.co.uk

[ skip to navigation ]
Old Glasgow Pubs by john gorevan

 

Scottish & Newcastle.

Renovate four of their Welcome Inn's.

A WARM WELCOME BACK TO THE INN'S...

It's cheers all round for regular customers at four of Glasgow's Welcome Inns for Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, who own the inns, have reopened four of their most popular pubs after spending more than £100,000 renovating them.

The Pubs are the Iron Horse in West Nile Street, the Atholl Arms in Renfield Street, the County Roadhouse in Springboig, and the Loudon Bar in Duke Street.

Two had been badly damaged by fire while the two others underwent extensive face-lifts. Now all four have reopened, just in time to make Christmas for their regular customers a specially happy occasion.

Athole Arms interior Renfield Street 1978

The Atholl Arms in Renfield Street is a typical Glasgow pub with a warm and cosy atmosphere. The pub was closed for two months while it was given a complete face-lift inside and out, and reopened just under two weeks ago.

Mr Sandy Chalmers has been mine host at the Atholl Arms for twelve years now and takes pride in being on first name terms with all his regular customers. He is particularly pleased with the interior decoration of the pub and feels that the warm red upholstery makes customers feel really at home.

The Atholl Arms has always provided snacks, and this service has been reintroduced since the pub reopened.

------------------------------------------

Louden Bar interior 1978

The Louden Bar interior 1978.

The Louden Bar in Duke Street has always been known as a man's pub. But now that it has been refurbished it is the ideal spot for a couple to enjoy a pleasant evening out.

About £25,000 has been spent on the small but cosy pub upgrading the decor. Regular customers will realise that the pub is bigger than it was. That's because Scottish Brewers took over an adjacent close and by knocking down some walls have incorporated it in the bar.

The new decor is in the 30's style with lots of cigarette ad mirrors round the walls, and the floor has been semi-carpeted. As manager John Dillon, who has been at the Louden for about three years, said: "The pub has been closed for about two months but I think the time and money spent has been well worth it."

--------------------

This Horse is a great bet...

The Iron Horse is one of Glasgow's most popular pubs, particularly with the younger set.

Until it caught fire Last October, The Iron Horse operated on three floors, the basement Sidings Bar, the ground floor lounge and the first floor restaurant.

In order to re-open the premises in time for Christmas, Welcome Inns decided to redecorate the ground and basement floors only. A plush restaurant will be re-opened on the first floor next year.

The Sidings Bar has been transformed into Senor Chic's, where meals will be served with a distinctly Mexican flavour.

The Iron Horse re-opens today.

-----------------------------------

The County Inn Springboig interior 1978

Interior view of the County Inn. 1978.

It was December 13 last year that the lounge at the County Roadhouse in Springboig was destroyed by fire. The Lounge was always very popular with local residents and it was a bitter blow to them and manageress Mrs Patsy McGuckien.

But last week a new Lounge/ restaurant was unveiled, which promises to become the main attraction in the Springboig area. "We have live music every evening and cabaret on special nights. Soon we hope to be able to hold dances," Mrs McGuckien explained.

The menu in the new Lounge/ Restaurant will have dishes like gammon steaks and haddock, but Mrs McGuckien plans to have a more extensive menu should her customers desire it.

The decor in the new lounge is very bright with circles being the main theme. Much of the seating is in semi-circles.

Scottish & Newcastle Breweries have spent £60,000 on the County Roadhouse, but they think it will be worth it.

End.

Go to top of page