GLENDOLA Leisure (Holdings), the hospitality operator behind Irish theme pub Waxy O'Connor's in Glasgow, has lined up a £1 million investment to create two venues at the city's Central Station.
The company, which owns the gothic-inspired Frankenstein bar in Edinburgh, is opening an artisan coffee shop next to the main entrance on Gordon Street and a steak restaurant downstairs.
Gordon Street Cafe will roast beans on site and look to entice train travellers with sandwiches, pastries and fresh coffee, while Alston Bar & Beef will offer a range of cuts as well as what the operator said will be the largest collection of Scottish gins under one roof.
Work on developing outlets, which between them will employ 40 full and part-time staff, is under way, with the new owners hoping to open both in May.
The restaurant, which will be accessed from the concourse via a door opposite the ticket office, has lain undeveloped since Central Station was built over the former Grahamston Village in the 19th century.
It takes its name from the main street in the former village, and will make a design feature from the vaults below the concourse.
As well as specialising in locally made gin, the restaurant will buy its beef from Scottish producers and offer dishes inspired by ingredients sourced in Scotland.
The cafe, which was most recently occupied by high street retailer Boots, will offer seating on two floors and an outdoor area.
Pledging to offer the "freshest coffee available in the city centre", it will market its very own blend, the Glasgow Roast, "created to complement the vibrant character of the city's residents".
The cafe will also feature an electronic timetable to ensure travellers do not miss their connections.
The latest openings will take Middlesex-based Glendola's Scottish portfolio to six, joining an estate which also includes the Carlton George Hotel Horton's cocktail bat in Glasgow.
Managing director Alex Salussolia said the company, which was founded by his father Peter in 1973, was looking forward to "bringing the space back to life with a tasty new addition to the city".
Mr Salussolia said: "The station presents a fantastic opportunity to create two unique venues and the footfall passing through the Gordon Street entrance makes the location particularly attractive for us. We already run three successful businesses in Glasgow and one in Edinburgh and are very much looking forward to our new venture.
"It is our intention to create two businesses that will fill the gaps in the station's current offering.
"We want to build somewhere that will be an attractive destination for commuters and those using the station, and another venue for customers looking to enjoy quality food and drink in a contemporary and stylish bar and restaurant environment."
Glendola's investment was welcomed by Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
The group's chief executive, Stuart Patrick, said: "This is yet another excellent addition to the services on offer in one of the country's busiest transport hubs.
"The level of investment and number of jobs to be created in the process are both sterling examples of a business working to the benefit of the city."
In the most recent accounts available for Glendola Leisure at Companies House, the company reported pre-tax profits of £2.46m for the year ended March 30, 2013, up from £1.89m the year before.
Turnover across the group remained broadly unchanged from 2012 at £28.5m.
The accounts show the business, which has outlets in London and Manchester, employed an average of 408 staff over the period, up from 401.
In Scotland, where the firm has 110 staff, turnover came in at about £7m in its last financial year.
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