Empty offices in Glasgow set to be turned into a pub and nightclub

Plans for the site on Glassford Street have changed

Author: Rob WallerPublished 23rd Jun 2023

Glasgow city planners are being asked to rule on a bid bid to turn empty city centre offices into a pub and nightclub.

The firm, C&C Capital, has requested permission to change 71 Glassford Street into a licensed premises after retail and office uses “failed”.

Plans sent to the council reveal the venue intends to be licensed from 11am to 3am or “any such hours as permitted and authorised by Glasgow’s licensing board”.

It has been claimed the proposal would create up to 100 full and part time jobs.

Hotel plan failed

Submitted earlier this month, the application stated premises at 71 to 77 Glassford Street were “developed as retail floorspace at ground and basement floors with an ‘aparthotel’ at the upper floors”.

“Having failed as retail, in 2021, the premises were converted to a high quality fit out as serviced office accommodation,” the plans added, but this business model “failed”, primarily “due to the lack of windows”.

The new proposal is to convert the building to “a ‘hybrid’ style public house operating at both floor levels”. “The property is located close to the Merchant City and remote from domestic residential accommodation,” the application added.

Luxury destination nearby

It was recently revealed that a “luxury” hotel is set to open on a nearby Glassford Street site.

Boutique hotel House of Gods secured a variation to a premises licence at a city licensing board meeting last week.

The firm, which has a hotel in Edinburgh, is preparing to open in a B-listed building at 61 to 65 Glassford Street, which was previously home to Mamafubu restaurant.

Councillors on the licensing board heard how the venue would have a spa, rooftop bar and restaurant serving Mediterranean food.

Council planners are currently considering the application for a pub/nightclub at 71 Glassford Street and aim to make a decision by August 4.

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