“Last orders” may fast be approaching for the Old Original Bar as a proposed change of use is revealed.
The well known Blantyre Pub, built in 1903 by spirit merchant Robert Craig has submitted planning to change its use from a public house to Class 1 retail, providing some much needed shop space on Glasgow Road.
Commonly known as “Craigs”, the building at 285 Glasgow Road sits on the corner of Stonefield Road / Glasgow Road and has been a public house for 118 years, replacing an even earlier pub.
Generations of Blantyre people have drank there and many will look back fondly on some great characters.
The proposal to turn it into a sizeable 136m2 shop relates to the ground floor only with access to upper flats retained with planning now submitted. The existing main entrance on the corner would be retained and the other doors closed over, covered with new signage. It will not be the intention to create any new and additional car parking spaces given the town centre locality.
A planning decision is expected in Springtime 2021.
Oh how sad, a landmark, I rented Mikkies cafe ( Cafe De Royal) across the road, they let me and my staff use their toilets, broke up a few fights outside, ( don’t know what I was thinking) will miss seeing this pub. 😢😢😢
How sad! Another landmark maybe gone! I enjoyed my Saturday afternoon there! With a few characters well known in the pub!!