Glasgow's 'biggest beer garden’ to open as lockdown eases

Glasgow’s Rotunda building has revealed plans for the city’s “biggest beer garden” as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

Cranside Kitchen, in Finnieston, aims to open a new free-to-enter outdoor food market and beer garden.

The area, which is currently used for parking and private patios, will be used as an outside space to offer meals, alcohol and other hot and cold beverages.

Plans reveal the centrepiece of the new venue could be two ‘pergolas’ style marquees to cover customers, new trees and greenery, industrial walls, picnic tables and outdoor furnishings. The venue also aims to have a capacity for over 200 guests.

Cranside Kitchen is aiming to open its doors as soon as Scotland enters phase two of the route map out of lockdown.

Bosses have said strict social distancing guidelines will be in place, and there will be limits on numbers at any one time to avoid crowding.

The Rotunda building’s bathroom facilities will also be open for customers and toilet management will be put in place.

‘If the First Minister stands up on Thursday and makes the announcement we’ll be ready to go – hopefully within 24 hours.’
Restaurateur Toni Carbajosa

Staff will be required to wear face masks, gloves and maintain a two-metre distancing rule across the site.

The beer garden is designed to feature a food market offering menus from five Glasgow restaurants – Rioja, Halloumi, Pickled Ginger, Kilmurry & Co and La Rotunda with a single drinks and desserts menu.

Landscaper John Henderson has been commissioned alongside the team to design the site and planning permission has been submitted to Glasgow City Council.

Mr Henderson 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.”

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.”