A Scottish bar and restaurant has revealed how it plans to reopen to serve food and drinks outside once lockdown restrictions are eased.
Owners of Glasgow's iconic Rotunda building in the Finnieston area have revealed plans for Glasgow's ‘biggest beer garden’, which will open as soon as lockdown restrictions allow.
The new alfresco eatery, Cranside Kitchen, will be a new free-to-enter venue, open seven days a week with a food market and beer garden.
Under the new plans the areas currently used for parking and private patios will be utilised as an outside space to offer food and drinks.
The centrepiece of the new Cranside Kitchen will be two pergola style marquees to shelter customers from the unpredictable weather, new trees and greenery, industrial walls, bespoke picnic tables and outdoor furnishings.
The proposed beer garden will be at the rear corner of the premises and this, plus the outdoor dining space, will have space for over 200 guests.
Cranside Kitchen is proposed to open as soon as Scotland enters phase two of the route map out of lockdown.
Although details are yet to be finalised by the Scottish Government, it is hoped that Cranside Kitchen will open sometime this month.
Strict social distancing guidelines will be in place, and there will be limits on numbers of people allowed at any one time to avoid crowding.
The Rotunda building bathroom facilities will be open for customers and safe toilet management will be maintained at all times.
Hygiene measures are also being prepared to make the venue safe for all customers. Staff will be wearing facemasks, gloves and a very strict two metre distancing rule will be in place across the site.
The venue will be open seven days a week with a food market offering menus from five Glasgow restaurants - Rioja, Halloumi, Pickled Ginger, Kilmurry & Co and La Rotunda.
Dishes on the menu include popular dishes from the five restaurants including: Greek pork gyros, stone baked parma pizza, sushi platters and Spanish grilled octopus.
A cocktail and drinks menu will feature classics including: negronis, margaritas and mojitos as well as wine, beer and spirits.
Landscaper John Henderson has been commissioned alongside the team to design the site that is hoped to help kick-start the restaurant economy in the city. Planning permission has been submitted to Glasgow City Council.
John said: "The design proposals aim to create an attractive and usable outdoor restaurant and beer garden area.
"Cranside Kitchen is located just a hop, skip and a jump away from the River Clyde walks and cycle tracks and the area will continue to offer on site parking for customers."
The venture is being spearheaded by the team behind popular Glasgow restaurants Halloumi, Bibimbap, La Rotunda and Rioja.
In opening Cranside Kitchen, business partners Kevin Campbell and Toni Carbajosa have saved jobs within their company and hope to offer a new outdoor dining experience in the city.
Restaurateur Toni Carbajosa said: "We believe that a beer garden will be a great addition for the iconic site.
"If the First Minister stands up on Thursday and makes the announcement we’ll be ready to go – hopefully within 24 hours.
"We’ve been working with the local authorities and with the licensing board and are adapting our operations in line with Government guidelines.
"Our teams are excited to get back to work and customers can be assured that all the necessary safety measures will be in place before we open the public."
Cranside Kitchen will operate on a first come, first serve basis - so no need for advance bookings.
It will be open Monday - Sunday, 10am - 10pm at 28 Tunnel St, Glasgow G3 8HL.
For more information and to keep informed of an opening date, please visit Cranside Kitchen social media pages.
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