The venue’s owners hope to open in June as Scotland moves to phase two of the lockdown ‘route map’
THE owners of Glasgow venue The Rotunda have unveiled plans to create Glasgow’s biggest beer garden as they aim to “kickstart the city’s restaurant economy”.
The opening of Cranside Kitchen – a free-to-enter beer garden and food market located in The Rotunda’s current parking and private patio areas – will depend on when the Scottish Government gives the green light for moving into phase two of its route map out of lockdown, but owners Kevin Campbell and Toni Carbajosa hope that the outdoor venue will open in June.
With plans to open seven days a week from 10am to 10pm, the 200-cover al fresco venue will serve menus from restaurants La Rotunda, Rioja and Pickled Ginger in Finnieston, Halloumi in the city centre and Kilmurry & Co in Shawlands. It will operate on a first come first served basis.
The structure’s design features industrial walls, picnic tables and outdoor furnishings and customers will be seated under pergola-style marquees; limits on the number of people able to enter the venue will be imposed and staff members will wear face masks and gloves.
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.”
John Henderson, a landscaper who was commissioned to design the site, 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.”
