Glasgow all-male spa in new bid to use ex-Rangers pub site for flats

The owners of an all-male spa have launched a fresh bid to build serviced apartments on the site of a former Rangers pub.

Belfast-based Big Top Productions previously secured permission to knock down Annie Millers, on Ropework Lane, which was popular with Rangers fans before it closed in 2017.

The old pub is near to The Pipeworks on Metropole Lane — billed on its website as Scotland’s best and largest gay health and leisure club.

When the last plan was given the go ahead by councillors in 2021, they were told the apartments would be aimed at the LGBT community, but would be open to all, and run separately to the spa.

The new application claims to “improve the fire safety for the building” by adding an extra means of escape to meet “updated building standard requirements”.

Plans describe the current building as being “in poor condition” and claim the new development will create “a more welcoming environment” on Ropework Lane.

The initial application sparked opposition from residents at Carrick Quay apartments, who reported fears that families could be forced out of their homes by noise from the development. One neighbour claimed The Pipeworks had caused “nothing but noise problems”.

The owners disputed the reports of anti-social behaviour from The Pipeworks, suggesting it was unrelated to the club.

Andre Graham, from Big Top, told the planning committee in 2021: “We had recently seen a number of serviced aparthotels aimed at the LGBT community and looked at the viability of such a business in Glasgow, and concluded that we should purchase the building to develop a similar business.”

He said a roof terrace, which objectors were concerned about, would only be open during daylight hours and a 24 hour concierge would deal with any “rowdy” behaviour if it occurred.

Glasgow councillors were split on whether to approve the plans, which was granted on the casting vote of then planning committee chairman, Bailie Glenn Elder. There had been 16 letters of objection.

The new application is currently under consideration by the council.