Make It a Double: Glasgow Pub Reopens After 13-Month Closure and £325,000 Revamp

It's a double celebration for one Glasgow pub, which is reopening for the first time in 13 months this week and is showcasing a £325,000 refurbishment that includes one of the largest gardens in the East End.

The investment at The Princess on Smithcroft Road in Riddrie has been undertaken by Heineken-owned Star Pubs & Bars and mother and daughter team Adrienne Greenaway and Victoria Ashgar, who have run the pub for 19 years. It has transformed the formerly tired local into a great quality family-friendly pub that caters for all and created 15 new jobs.

Says Victoria: “Work was originally scheduled to begin in February last year but the whole project was delayed by the pandemic. It has been heartbreaking to be closed for so long. Regulars have missed meeting up and are desperate for The Princess to reopen. We’ve been inundated with booking enquiries. We can’t wait to open the doors and show everyone their new look pub. The revamp has given the Princess the wow factor, it’s unrecognisable.”

Outside work has updated the seventies-style building with a completely new look and installed large windows to bring light flooding into the pub. A disused concrete courtyard has been turned into a stunning 120-seater garden with murals by Kirkshaws artist Robert Boyle plus new decking, planting, heating and festoon lighting. A beautifully decorated marquee provides covered space for 60 customers.

The interior of The Princess has been upgraded with a contemporary design, self-contained function space, new toilets and a state-of-the-art audiovisual system for screening sports. As part of the relaunch, Victoria and Adrienne have also revamped the kitchen and are introducing food focused on traditional pub favourites such as pies and burgers along with a children’s menu. A new drinks range will feature premium beers, wines and spirits as well as coffee and hot drinks.

Adds Adrienne: “People are craving a sense of normality, we hope the reopening of The Princess is just the ‘pick me up’ they need. We’ve really gone to town on the garden so that as many people as possible can safely enjoy getting together again. The Princess has always been a hub of the community. We want to build on that and have got lots of plans for when restrictions are lifted from cream teas for senior citizens to fun days for families.”

Comments Star Pubs & Bars operations director for Scotland, Mick Howard: “Victoria and Adrienne are fantastic licensees who’ve made The Princess a real heart of local life; we’re delighted to have supported them with this refurbishment. They’ve thought of everyone in the community and are giving people lots more reasons to visit. Whether residents are after a morning coffee, a family meal or a great night out, they’ll be able to stay local and find it at The Princess.”

Adds Mick: “This is a bittersweet moment for Star. Sadly the uncertainty for leased & tenanted pubs created by the new Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill – which was passed by the Scottish Government last month – means we’ve had to suspend all similar investments in Scotland for the foreseeable future. It’s a real blow for our pubs and the communities they serve.”