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“Over £1million is to be invested in two new food and drink establishments at Glasgow’s Central Station. Work on a new artisan coffee shop and a new bar and restaurant started this week at the Gordon Street entrance to one of the busiest train stations outside of London.
Glendola, who already operate a number of establishments in the city including Waxy O’Connor’s, has announced that they expect to create over 40 full and part time jobs between the two new venues which will open this Spring.
Gordon Street Coffee will offer a proper cup of coffee, from beans roasted on site, along with sandwiches and pastries for those customers passing through the station or waiting for their train. The new restaurant, Alston Bar & Beef, downstairs will be a stunning addition to the city’s culinary feast. Aiming to provide the city’s best steak, the restaurant will serve an assortment of beef cuts, whilst the bar will boast Glasgow’s largest collection of gins.
On confirming that Glendola will take ownership of the premises, managing director, Alex Salussolia, said:
“Glendola is excited to be taking on unit 19 in Glasgow Central Station. The site has been vacant for a while and we look forward to bringing the space back to life with a tasty new addition to the city. The station presents a fantastic opportunity to create two unique venues and the footfall passing through the Gordon Street entrance makes the location particularly attractive for us. We already run three successful businesses in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh and are very much looking forward to our new venture.”
“It is our intention to create two businesses that will fill the gaps in the station’s current offering. We want to build somewhere that will be an attractive destination for commuters and those using the station; and another venue for customers looking to enjoy quality food and drink in a contemporary and stylish bar & restaurant environment.
“We aim to make Gordon Street Coffee the perfect place for those on the move – either looking for something to eat on the go or to sit and enjoy a glass of wine or beer while waiting for the train. Downstairs at Alston Bar & Beef, we want to create the ideal venue to meet for an after-work drink, enjoy a quality lunch or dinner with friends or family.”
The launch of the new artisan coffee shop will see the arrival of Glasgow’s very own coffee blend, The Glasgow Roast; created to complement the vibrant character of the city’s residents. Glendola believe that this will be the freshest coffee available in the city centre, as it is the only shop roasting its own coffee. Jemma Richmond, manager of Gordon Street Coffee, explains:
“Everything at Gordon Street Coffee will be prepared fresh on site; from a range of hot and cold food either to sit-in or to go, to our three coffee blend choices, roasted in-house. Our staff will deliver the whole coffee journey; from green bean through to cup and give the people of Glasgow a proper cup of coffee from early morning until well after rush hour.”
Plans for Gordon Street Coffee, which will stand in the site previously occupied by Boots the Chemist at the entrance to the station, include seating over two floors while an outdoor area will give customers the opportunity to sit and enjoy the hustle and bustle of Scotland’s busiest station. Ever conscious of the traveller, Gordon Street Coffee will have live timetable screens to ensure customers don’t miss their train.
Alston Bar & Beef will be located in the basement of Glasgow Central Station – an area previously undeveloped since the station was built over the original Grahamston Village in the 1800’s. Customers will enter through a large door within the main Gordon Street entrance – opposite the ticket office – and will descend into the stunning open vaults found beneath the main concourse.
Inspired by the name of the old Glasgow village’s main street, Alston Bar & Beef plans to provide Glaswegians with the very finest cuts of beef and a huge range of gins from around the world, including the city’s largest number of Scottish gins under one roof.
Matthew Mustard, general manager at Alton Bar & Beef, said:
“Alston Bar & Beef will be a great addition to Glasgow. Across the continent train stations are well known for offering fresh and tasty food and drink, and we plan to do the same with Alston Bar & Beef. Alston will offer the finest cuts of beef from Scottish producers and complement them with a wider menu of dishes inspired by Scotland’s larder. The bar will be one of Glasgow’s best places for gin; not only will we have the largest collection of gins, but we will also be known for the perfect presentation – from the right glass, ice style and garnish to bring out the gin’s individual flavours. It will be a great place to meet, eat and drink in the city centre.”
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, added:
“This is yet another excellent addition to the services on offer in one the country’s busiest transport hubs.
“The level of investment and number of jobs to be created in the process are both sterling examples of a business working to the benefit of the city.”
Work is currently underway to transform the site and owners Glendola aim to open in early May.
