After a lengthy wait for the converted shipping containers that will act as its building blocks, the Clydeside Containers project on Glasgow’s Broomielaw finally got back on track this week.
The plan had been to open the new outdoor food, drink and events destination at the start of the summer, but the schedule slipped as the required containers failed to appear at the prepped riverside site neighbouring the Grosvenor Casino.
The team behind the development – Allied Leisure, the operator of Max’s Bar, La Cheetah Club, Room 2, and Mikaku – has now taken delivery of those vital repurposed shipping containers, allowing on-site construction to begin.
However, project spokesman Nathan Sparling tempered the celebration with some harsh comments about the logistics firm hired to move the containers from London to Glasgow.
He said that the containers had been shipped from China to London Gateway Port on schedule at the start of the summer, but claimed that they had then languished for six weeks while the Clydeside Containers team waited for their final delivery by Hapag-Lloyd UK.
“This is a textbook example of incompetence,” said Sparling. “We’re not talking about shipping across oceans – we’re talking about moving containers from Essex to Glasgow.
“Hapag-Lloyd UK’s failure to act with urgency has disrupted our entire supply chain, put local jobs on hold, and hit small businesses who were counting on this launch.”
Sparling further claimed that the delay had impacted ‘dozens’ of small businesses – from vendors and suppliers who were due to begin trading this summer, to training consultants and local workmen, as well as the team’s plans for large-scale launch events timed to coincide with Glasgow’s peak tourism season.
However, he said that the team remains optimistic.
“We’re proud of what’s coming. Clydeside Containers will be a game-changer for Glasgow’s riverside – we just wish Hapag-Lloyd had taken their role in that journey seriously. Today should have happened six weeks ago.
“Glasgow’s newest and bigger hospitality opening is one giant step closer to opening today – and we can’t wait to show the city what we have in store.”
