It is rumoured that the iconic seafood restaurant Rogano has closed for good, and that staff have been sacked.
Rogano has been operating as a seafood restaurant just off Royal Exchange Square in Glasgow city centre since 1935, having started life as a Spanish bar and wine cellar.
It is known for its Art Deco interiors, which were installed by then owner Donald Grant, who, according to Lost Glasgow was inspired by the Cunard liner the Queen Mary, which had just been built on the Clyde by John Brown & Co of Clydebank.
Rogano has been serving the best of Scottish seafood to locals and visitors alike for over 75 years, making it a must visit for those looking to sample a little bit of Glasgow’s rich history.
Rogano closed during lockdown, and has not reopened since. The windows have been boarded up and graffiti now covers the boards, a sad sight for many people who have enjoyed celebratory meals in the restaurant.
Rumours of the restaurant's closure have been circulating for a number of weeks, as no announcement of reopening has been made.
This is a very sad moment for Glasgow. The landmark restaurant & bar @roganoglasgow has closed for good with staff sacked & is not coming back. This is the end of an era for Glasgow: Rogano having opened in 1935. There are interested parties in buying it so here's hoping. pic.twitter.com/G8znHQz3sF
— Gerry Hassan 🇺🇦 (@GerryHassan) September 11, 2020
These seem to have been confirmed by writer and academic Gerry Hassan who posted on Twitter saying: "This is a very sad moment for Glasgow. The landmark restaurant & bar @roganoglasgow has closed for good with staff sacked & is not coming back.
"This is the end of an era for Glasgow: Rogano having opened in 1935. There are interested parties in buying it so here's hoping."
Replies to the tweet include one user writing: "Very sad news. An example of a real institution."
Another added: "Fabulous restaurant, what a shame. Once turned away the then PM Edward Heath because it was full and didn't want to disturb it's regulars. Art Deco jewel of an eaterie."
The news has been picked up by Lost Glasgow who have written a Facebook post on the restaurant's long history.
There has now been an update, posted on the Rogano Facebook page confirming that they hope to reopen in 2021. It reads: "Dear customers, we are currently undergoing a period of restructuring as a result of the devastating impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the hospitality industry. We can confirm Rogano is not for sale, and we very much hope to open again some time in 2021.
"We'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who reached out to us today with their fond memories of Rogano and to our wonderful customers who we hope to see again in the near future. Rogano."
