THE owner of one of Glasgow's most traditional bars insists there is no agreement to demolish despite new plans that show it would be demolished to make way for an office development creating over 800 jobs.
Leaseholder of The Admiral bar Mark Ferrier says it remains business as usual for the time being, even though, Edinburgh-based developer Whiteburn has submitted a planning application for the 100,000 sq ft development at Waterloo Street.
Fans of the bar, which has a history of attracting entertainment legends that goes back decades, including such noteworthies as Billy Connolly, have already begun mourning its potential loss.
But Mr Ferrier said that they hold a lease of the pub till 2029, and even though talk of the project has been in the melting pot for over six months, there is no agreement for the sale of the pub.
Originall the proposals involved demolition of 70-72 Waterloo St and a partial demolition of 64 Waterloo St to make way for a ‘mixed use development’.
According to the application, the frontage would be maintained, with work carried out inside the building – but the pub would have to move from its current location.
Further details of the project unveiled show that the listed building was to be transformed into a Grade A office development known as The Still.
Developers plan to retain the main historic elements of the red sandstone 1890’s B-listed Distillers House building, with a new 14-storey structure built behind.
It is said the plans put forward by Edinburgh-based developers Whiteburn would provided a £64 million boost to the local economy.
They hope to receive planning consent later this year, allowing them to start on site in 2017 for completion in 2019.
Mr Ferrier said: "We know the developers are looking at it, they have bought the building next to ours. "We can't stop people putting in planning applications, regardless of the state of the building.
"At the moment is we have a lease in place till 2029 and we a run a business and we are contributors to the area.
"For me it's our business, and I worked hard to get it. It's business as usual until further notice.
"They can't force us to leave or anything at the moment.
"The Admiral has a lot of history to it. Business is nice, we have great customers and it is very evident that it is a very popular place. "I don't think there is anything about us as a business that is greedy, and we certainly don't do this for the money. It's a career."
CGI of The Still Waterloo Street
One local said:" I despair, yet another uninspiring box, combine that with overbearing scale I foresee no meaningful contribution to Glasgow's changing character."
The plans are expected to create around 840 jobs in the development, a further 35 jobs indirectly and 160 during the construction phase.
David Kilgour, projects director at Whiteburn said: “We have a development agreement with the current owners of 70-72 Waterloo Street and have also held discussions with the owners of the Admiral Bar who are fully aware of our plans.
"This development will not only regenerate a prominent city centre site, it will also provide substantial investment into the local economy. In addition, The Still will have a ground and basement café/restaurant opportunity.”
He added: “The Still will be a building where innovative new ways of working will harness all the elements of today’s rapidly changing technological and cultural environment.
“We‘re convinced The Still will become a building where professional and creative, firms flourish. There will be a real sense of creative urban energy at The Still.”
Previous Whiteburn projects have included The Tun in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Road, home to tenants including the BBC, and the refurbishment of the former RBS headquarters at 100 West George Street.
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