Application has recently been submitted for planning consideration to convert the former ‘Apollo Building’ into residential flats and retail units.
The building at 351 Main Street, High Blantyre, dates back to the early 1880’s and was once a concert hall, then JB Struther’s Public House. The adjacent part has been home to the Masonic Lodge all through the 20th Century into the 21st. (The Masonic Lodge is unaffected by these plans and owned by others.) The front part, facing out on to Priestfield Car Park has been derelict for many years, an Indian Restaurant being the last business to operate there post Millennium. People may also remember this part as once being the Apollo Bar.
With the building lying empty for so long and looking in a sorry state, thankfully, plans are afoot to convert the upper part of the building into 2 flats. The lower part opening out on the street if approved, will be converted into 2 separate retail units, (Type Class 1, that’s retail of goods and services, not takeaways!)
We wish anybody who has the foresight and means to convert any derelict building in Blantyre into modern homes or successful shops, the very best of luck.
