Star Pubs & Bars invests £1m into Glasgow pubs

Two Glasgow pubs are benefiting from upgrades as part of a £1.04 million investment in Scotland’s West Central Belt pubs by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars.

Work is set to start on a £325,000 refurbishment of The Princess in Riddrie, whilst The Drum in Shettleston reopens this week following a £210,000 makeover. The programme also includes refurbishments of The Abbey Bar in Paisley and The Spateston Inn (formerly The Osprey) in Spateston.

The projects are designed to transform the properties both inside and out, making them more “comfortable and contemporary” and introducing improved sports viewing, new food menus and extended drinks ranges. 30 new jobs will be created.

The joint investment at The Princess is being undertaken with mother and daughter team, Adrienne Greenaway and Victoria Asghar, who have run the pub for nearly 20 years. The revamp will include installing new windows, a render and paint of the building and adding new signage and lighting.

The pub’s garden will be set to include seating for 80, new decking and planting plus covered sections and heating for year-round use. The improvements inside The Princess will also feature new toilets, a refitted kitchen and a “stylish” design complete with wood floors and booth seating.

The reopening of The Drum has been delayed by four months due to the pandemic. The refurbishment has created a “rustic urban style” with wood floors and paneling, leather seating and café style windows.

The development has also trebled the drinks available and brought in premium wines, spirits and cocktails as well as homemade food.

Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of Star Pubs and Bars, said: “We’re firm believers in the future of community locals. In challenging times such as these, they’re even more important to the residents they serve. However, they need to keep pace with pubgoers’ changing expectations. These refurbishments will reward regulars for their loyalty and attract the new customers pubs need to thrive for the long term.

“This investment also underlines the benefits of the tied pubs model for licensees. It comes at a time when the lower risk and higher support of the tied model in Scotland is in danger of being jeopardised by The Tied Pubs Bill now being considered by the Scottish Parliament.”