The Lomond Leisure Group, which operates five hospitality venues in Scotland, is set to invest £275,000 in a revamp of the Van Winkle bar on Sandyford Place in Glasgow with Star Pubs.
The site, which was McPhabbs before Van Winkle, will close at the end of the month before being transformed into the Gael & Grain, a pub celebrating Scottish food, drink and music. Gael & Grain is expected to open in mid-May with a new outdoor area to match the new interior upgrade.
Gael & Grain will build on the success of other LLG sites that specialise in Scottish fare, like its Glasgow restaurant Mharsanta and its Edinburgh pub, The Tolbooth Tavern, which is also leased from Star Pubs.
At the same time as developing Gael & Grain, LLG is set to open Kirk O’The Lochs restaurant in Tarbet and refurbish the beer garden at its bourbon bar Van Winkle on Gallowgate in Glasgow in time for the summer.
Lomond Leisure Group director Derek Mallon said, “For a small country, Scotland punches above its weight when it comes to the food and drink it produces and is widely recognised as having some of the best meat and seafood in the world.
“There’s growing demand for great Scottish food and drink, and Gael & Grain will aim to meet this in a relaxed, welcoming pub setting. It’s an exciting time for Glasgow. Its independent pub, bar and restaurant scene is going from strength to strength, putting the city on the map for hospitality.
“We’ve worked with Star Pubs for a number of years and appreciate the wealth of experience they bring to our partnership as well as their support and investment.”
