Gordon Street Coffee - an artisan coffee shop serving a Glaswegian coffee blend - will open at the Station entrance; while a new restaurant, Alston Bar & Beef, will provide premium meat cuts and a comprehensive gin selection from a previously undeveloped basement area.
“Glendola is excited to be taking on unit 19 in Glasgow Central Station,” said the group’s managing director Alex Salussolia. “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.”
Gordon Street Coffee
Gordon Street Coffee will have a capacity for 20 customers, offering ‘a proper cup of coffee’ with beans roasted on-site. ‘The Glasgow Roast’ has been created to complement the vibrant character of the city’s residents.
Jemma Richmond, manager of Gordon Street Coffee, said: “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 the coffee shop, which will stand in the site previously occupied by Boots the Chemist, include seating over two floors and an outdoor area. Gordon Street Coffee will also be fitted with live timetable screens to ensure customers don’t miss their train at what is Scotland’s busiest station.
Alston Bar & Beef
Meanwhile, 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 - with a doored access to the upstairs coffee shop.
The 80-cover restaurant will provide Glaswegians with the very finest cuts of beef along with the city’s largest number of Scottish gins under one roof.
Matthew Mustard, general manager at Alston 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.”
Glendola growth
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."
Glendola operates four other venues in Scotland - Carlton George Hotel; Waxy O’Connor’s; Horton’s; and Frankenstein’s – employing 110 people and turning over £7m in the last financial year.
The UK-wide leisure firm also operates a number of venues in London including another Waxy O’Connor’s branch; the World’s End Pub in Camden; Brogan’s in Fulham and the Rainforest Café - Europe’s largest family restaurant.
Work is currently underway to transform the two new Glasgow sites and Glendola aims to open them in early May.