HARRY’S BAR

Angels Hotel, Uddingston

DESIGN FOCUS - BY SUSAN YOUNG

Thefamous Harry’s Bar at Angels Hotel in Uddingston has just had a glamorous makeover. The bar named after Angels founder the late Harry Hood, opened six years ago, but this latest make-over is the most ambitious to date.

Perhaps in homage to the founder’s footballing career, or simply the move towards greener venues, the bar itself has become more of a statement with an elegant and striking tiled green facade toped with a gleaming brass rail. In fact shades of green are used throughout from the sage green ceilings to the bottle green chairs.

Black and white antico has been used to accentuate the bar area – they don’t just look good, they are very functional too.

Although the make-over at first might look cosmetic,Frank Adam Contractors and designers Space-ID have in fact subtley changed of layout and all the fixed seating has been completely replaced and enhanced which now means the venue can accommodate a further 22 covers.

However the designers have ensured that the bar stays close to its sporting roots with additional TV’s being introduced to ensure you can watch sport from every vantage point in the bar.

The main structural change has see the entrance from the rear carpark change from via the conservatory extension to the snug area. This has allowed the seating in the conservatory to be reconfigured to offer extra dining space.

The Snug has also been reconfigured to make it more of a dining area, than drinking area, and the doors to the rest rooms have been enhanced, as have the toilets themselves.

The new Harry’s also features cork walls – which look bark-like. These feature walls are situated in the bar and the theme is continued into the conservatory. It warms the place and also perhaps absorbs some of the noise from the lively crowd which frequent the bar.

In the main bar area the cork wall sits behind two elevated bar tables – which now offer the perfect vantage point to people watch. Pinch points have also been reduced – especially around the entrance from the restaurant into the bar – fixed seating that was here has now made way for an inset elevated shelf and bar stools. Immediately adjacent are striking new wine fridges.

The lighting is spectacular with two decorative modern chandeliers which take pride of place in the two bay windowed seating areas. They add a touch of luxury and also highlight two of the key areas to sit – one of which boasts a comfortable booth with a space saving half moon table while the other has a tall posing table with bar stools.

The designers have managed to retain many of the traditions of the original Harry’s Bar, but it has been enhanced and it has also evolved. The new Harry’s caters for all ages and regulars but it is also hoped that by refreshing the offering new customers will make there way there too.

Says Director Siobhan Edwards, “While Harry’s Bar didn’t necessarily need a refresh, it is a tradition of Lisini to consistently upgrade and enhance our offering and I think we have achieved this. It was also great to have our founder, my mum Kathleen, get involved with the project.”

You really couldn’t make it up - Matt Hancock’s What’s app messages lay bare the farce that was the covid lockdown measures. From killing off cats... to trying to kill off hospitality. I don’t know about you, but my respect for our political representatives is at rock bottom. As for the leadership contest in Scotland – I wouldn’t give any one of them my vote. Can they reverse DRS? I don’t think so. Why? Because not one of them has bothered about DRS until the leadership contest came up, each and every one is using it as a political football. Are you honestly telling me they don’t know there is a legal obligation to Biffa - a 10 year contract already agreed that can’t be ignored, not to mention the cash that Biffa has invested in the scheme. There would be a lengthy and expensive court case should it not go ahead.. And who would liable for the costs?

The blame lies at the very heart of the Scottish Government. I don’t often come out just as hard. Do I blame Circularity Scotland – NO – I blame the civil servants and lawyers who penned the legislative side and the powers that be for going ahead with it despite its obvious flaws. On what planet were they operating?

I also can’t believe that Lorna Slater honestly believes this is a pragmatic approach – the definition of pragamatic when used to describe an issue is to “sensibly and realistically deal with an issue based on practical rather than theoretical considerations” – the Green’s theoretical considerations have totally replaced practical considerations.

Lorna Slater is trying to push this through and sticking to the 16th August date because the finanacial and legal implications are immense! So what now? In my view DRS implentation has to be staged. I’m sure Biffa might appreciate this too, because whether it is ready is debatable– can they service every pick up point – some 35,000, I really don’t think so. Could this decimate its reputation – absolutely. It’s new fund managers owners might not appreciate that!

I think they should take hospitality out of the equation – am I biased, absolutely! But when did hospitality start contributing to the litter issue? Let our pubs, hotels and restaurants use their

DRAM DRINKS RETAILING AND MARKETING

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Editor Susan Young • Chairman Noel Young • Editorial Cat Thomson ,Nicola Young• Advertising Kimberley Andreucci, Scott McKellar, Syliva Forsyth • Admin Rebecca orr own waste management companies. Let Biffa concentrate on the off-trade outlets such a supermarkets. Encourage Councils to keep kerbside recycling – as for the hit to the DRS business plan – better a hit, than total oblivion. Rant over!

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The BEN Dinner last month was a great success. The aim of this charity it to help people in the licensed trade who are having financial difficulties by lending a helping hand. Sometimes it is hard to put out your hand and ask for that help, so if you know someone who is struggling to pay their fuel bills or rent, or to pay for their transport into work... why not gently nudge them to get in contact with The BEN. The reason it fund raises is to have the cash to help people in this industry.

A lot of younger people are now on the board and they are keen to seen the funds distributed to those who most need it. So please do pass the word.