Latest news with #Newsquest
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Work well underway on Glasgow Dishoom location set to open in August
Pictures taken on Nelson Mandela Place today (July 17) show the transformation of two city centre units is in full swing with signage announcing the popular Indian chain restaurant's in place. It will be the brand's first restaurant in the city with doors opening in August. READ NEXT: Glasgow pub set to reopen under new management this weekend (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) An exact date has not been announced yet and bookings are not being accepted on their website at the time of writing. The Glasgow Times first reported in November last year that Dishoom had applied to Glasgow City Council for permission to combine the ground floor and basement units at 3 and 11 Nelson Mandela Place within the former A-listed Glasgow Stock Exchange building. The unit at 11 Nelson Mandela Place was previously a Premier store while the unit at 3 Nelson Mandela Place was previously occupied by restaurant Absurd Bird. READ NEXT: Brand-new 130-seat bar to open in iconic Glasgow shopping centre (Image: Gordon Terris, Newsquest) The eatery closed suddenly in July 2022 and had been vacant since then. Founded in 2010, Dishoom was designed to match the Irani cafes that were popular in Mumbai in the 1960s. Their first restaurant opened in Covent Garden and the company now operates 10 sites across the UK between Edinburgh, London, Birmingham and Manchester.
Glasgow Times
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Family from near Glasgow gears up for Christmas in July
It may only be July, but Michelle McGhee and her loved ones have already spent weeks working on a spectacular light show featuring 60,000 bulbs, which will raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity. The 42-year-old is known locally in Barrhead for her decorations and music at Hallowe'en but has decided to replicate the idea for Christmas instead to honour her late father-in-law Jim McGhee, who was from Cardonald. Jim McGhee passed away aged just 56 (Image: Newsquest) The 56-year-old, who loved festive lights, sadly died in November 2019 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer for a second time. Michelle said: 'Jim was the best. He was so bubbly and so cheeky and everybody who knew him, knew him as a joker. 'He took redundancy and finished up work at Marks and Spencer and under two weeks later he was away. 'He went into the hospital with stomach pain and was diagnosed again but there was nothing that could be done by that point." READ NEXT: Iconic Glasgow West End restaurant to close this month 'My mum-in-law said I really wish Jim had one more chance to see his lights because he loved Christmas lights and used to put them on the tree outside," she added. "So the night before he came home we all ran about and went up into the loft pulling all the Christmas decorations out. "The neighbours must have thought we were mental." Michelle's brother has been working hard programming the lights on the computer (Image: Newsquest) From then on, Michelle and her husband James', her two sisters-in-law and her mother-in-law have put our decorations up every year on November 15, the anniversary of Jim's passing. Fittingly they have decided to launch the light show on this date. Michelle said Jim was just the best (Image: Newsquest) The family plan to run the half-hour light show back-to-back four times, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evening, from 6.30pm and 8.30pm. 'We have started planning early because you need to programme every individual light, which is a big task, but my brother, thankfully is amazing with the computer, so he's the brains behind the operation,' she explained. Michelle with her husband James and sons Alex and Malakai (Image: Newsquest) Michelle has also bought a 12-feet Christmas tree for outside her Braeside Drive home. Her four children have also been helping to make baubles, which the family is going to sell. They plan to put the names of loved ones on each one so that others feel like their family members and friends are part of the light display. Michelle with her husband James and sons Alex and Malakai (Image: Newsquest) 'My kids are absolutely buzzing for it and they are loving being part of it,' she added. 'Everybody in the street is buzzing about it, I think because everybody in some way has been touched by cancer. It's such a widespread, universal thing. 'Everybody feels it when they hear that word.'
Glasgow Times
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Singer Connie Francis has passed away at 87-years-old
Her passing was confirmed by close friend Ron Robertson, who shared the news on social media. He wrote: 'It is with a heavy heart and extreme sadness that I inform you of the passing of my dear friend Connie Francis last night. "I know that Connie would approve that her fans are among the first to learn of this sad news." (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Noel Gallagher can't get enough of this Glasgow bakery's rolls Francis had recently been in hospital prior to her passing. The singer shot to renewed fame in recent years when her song Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok, more than 60 years after its original release. The track became a favourite among influencers, who lip-synced along to its nostalgic lyrics. The viral success left Francis 'thrilled and overwhelmed', especially as the song topped Spotify streaming charts in both the UK and US earlier this year. READ MORE: Owners left 'heartbroken' after popular Glasgow restaurant raided by thieves The track has since racked up more than 74.8 million streams on the platform. Reflecting on the track's surprise resurgence, she admitted: 'To tell you the truth, I didn't even remember the song — I had to listen to it to remember. "To think that a song I recorded 63 years ago is touching the hearts of millions of people is truly awesome. It is an amazing feeling.' Francis, who enjoyed a celebrated career spanning decades, said she was honoured that fans — both old and new — were embracing her music once again. READ MORE: One Glasgow restaurant named in UK's top 100 - and this celebrity loves it Following the announcement of her death, tributes have poured in from fans and admirers around the world. One wrote: 'RIP Connie, thank you for all your beautiful songs and movies.' Another commented: 'Very sad news. An amazingly talented and lovely lady.' A third added: 'I'm so sorry to hear this.' And a fourth said: 'May she rest in peace. She will always be in our hearts because of her music.'
Glasgow Times
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Why I hid in a cupboard at the Glasgow Garden Festival
I spent my breaks in a cupboard in the house, the only place to try and get a moment's peace, both from the constant screaming of the folk on the Coca Cola rollercoaster right outside and from the visitors who left no door unopened or item uninspected. We gave out packets of "We're Blooming Good!" seeds free to every visitor but that did not stop them helping themselves to plants from the gardens. The worst culprits were the parties from various church women's guilds who, armed with nail scissors, would "help themselves" to cuttings from every plant leaving the gardens decimated and in need of replanting every morning by our gardeners. The opening of the Glasgow Garden Festival (Image: Newsquest) When Margaret Thatcher was making an official visit the entire site was closed to the public for fear of protests against her, such was her unpopularity in Scotland. I went round the site at lunchtime to listen to choirs, look round the other exhibits and gardens and buy some souvenirs. There truly was something for everyone. The rotunda building was used as a restaurant with a statue of Eros in the centre. The bandstand from Overtoun Park in Rutherglen was used for many of the entertainments. Old friends not seen for years were met again. Old bosses too and Glasgow councillors aplenty. A young couple even spent the afternoon of their wedding there. We were issued with t-shirts proclaiming the slogan "We're Bloomin' Good!" which did, as can be imagine, result in a few comments … A highlight was when I met some of the trade union stalwarts from Upper Clyde Shipbuilders having fun posing for pictures, which I was happy to take for them and thrilled to meet them. Dorothy Connor, Rutherglen Anniesland Cross, c1935 with public conveniences at far right (Image: Glasgow City Archives) Fond memories of Anniesland Cross I enjoyed your article about Anniesland Cross (Glasgow Times, June 28, 2025). I used to cycle from Milngavie to Scotstoun shipyard where I was an apprentice. Even then it was a busy intersection. I recall a day when the fog was so thick I had to guide the bus through the cross on my bicycle. I also remember the Great Western Road was white in colour and the German bombers used that section of road to guide them on to Clydebank. I'm 91 years old but I can still recall those days. I lived in New Zealand and now stay in Canada. have been very fortunate throughout my life. I still love Scotland. Arthur Mee, Canada Drumchapel in the 1950s (Image: Eric Flack) Flushing toilet was a highlight for young family Your feature on Drumchapel brought back memories. In 1955, we moved from Bridgeton to 15 Airgold Drive on May 19, my fifth birthday. We had never seen a flushing toilet before. My sister and I put everything we could fit in to the dunny and flushed just to see it disappear. We went to Camus Place Primary the Kingsridge High. Happy days indeed. James Bryden, Glasgow Every day, we receive emails and letters from readers keen to share their memories of Glasgow. If you'd like to send us your stories and photos, email or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG.
Glasgow Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Owner of Glasgow Albert Drive collapsed building speaks out
Pete Macdonald has given the stark warning after being "absolutely gutted" when the fire-damaged building crumbled just weeks away from being "saved". His home in Pollokshields was at the centre of a 999 response at the weekend after a derelict tenement at the corner of Albert Drive collapsed. Several residents living near the building were evacuated while fire crews worked to secure the area. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident. He owned one of the flats in the building and had lived there for five years before an accidental fire started on the roof on April Fool's Day in 2020. "The hope initially was that we were going to be able to restore the building, but essentially the damage was done to its roof," Pete explained. The collapsed building on the corner of Kenmure Street and Albert Drive pictured on Saturday, July 12 (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) READ MORE: Residents evacuated after Glasgow building collapses The 40-year-old musician has spent the past five and a quarter years trying to cope with the aftermath of the fire, as he and the other residents have been dealing with various levels of insurance, and fire and water-damaged homes. Pete had a very comprehensive insurance policy, which allowed him to be covered for a good deal more than some of his neighbours. He said the costs associated with the repair works escalated from an initial estimate of £1.5million to £4million. Pete said: "It would have cost three or more times what the properties were actually worth themselves. So essentially, being able to reinstate the building ourselves with insurance, that possibility basically ended there." This left them all in uncharted waters, as they couldn't repair their building, and Pete, unintentionally, became the de facto leader of the now-ex-neighbours. They tried to explore the route of selling the building as a development opportunity; however, this didn't provide a solution. Pete said: "Private developers were not really interested, given the listed status of the building. "And the amount of money that would cost, the profit margins were probably zero at that point for them, when it came to reinstating it, it's a conservation area as well." Owner of Glasgow Albert Drive collapsed building speaks out (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) READ MORE: Pictures show aftermath after Glasgow building suddenly collapsed They then enlisted the help of the council to help secure someone to take on the site, but when that didn't work out, Pete said they felt a bit "trapped." He explained: "The bottom line really was this building was disintegrating and it was getting worse." He appreciates the feeling that some locals had that the building was 'neglected' and that 'nothing was happening with the site', as it appeared that way from the outside. However, Pete was working away feverishly in the background to try and secure a viable solution for it and had almost secured a future for the site before the building collapsed. Pete Macdonald, 40, owner of a flat in the collapsed building (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans over risk to Art School They had secured a deal with Southside Housing Association to take over the property and develop the site. Pete said they were so close to signing it over, he said: "We were within probably two weeks of this being completed. "So the building falling down was absolutely gutting. It was like a kick in the teeth after all of this. "It's like a horrific game of pass the parcel, unfortunately, because we are still, officially, the owners. "At the moment we are, you know, looking at up 10s and 10s of thousands of pounds at least each. "That two weeks in the scope of five and a quarter years is such a tiny amount of time, having gone from pretty much elation, I was able to relax for the first time in five and a quarter years, and then just to be kind of hit with this has been tough." Dr Zubir Ahmed MP for Glasgow South West (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: 'Looking good': Popular Glasgow pub reopens after making 'exciting changes' MP for Glasgow South West, Dr Zubir Ahmed, has been supporting Pete and his neighbours since last year, he said: "I think we can't underestimate the toll this has taken on Pete personally as well as all the tenants, completely no fault of their own. This was, you know, a kind of random act of a fire. "It literally could have happened to any of us." Zubir is taking part in a meeting tomorrow to try and find a solution, which he says needs to be swift: "Some pragmatism and some discretion will need to be applied with the Council, the Housing association, perhaps third agencies to get to a complete resolution on this. And I think it needs to happen quickly." He has also expressed concerns over others being caught in insurance 'grey areas' and says that work needs to be done to establish 'the best insurance mechanism should be for tenement buildings'. It's frustrating that a second tenement building has now collapsed at Albert Cross after 5 years of limbo, despite being listed and in the East Pollokshields Conservation Area. A lack of insurance and insufficient state support to facilitate repairs. We need a new Tenement Act. — Paul Sweeney (@PaulJSweeney) July 12, 2025 This call for a review of the insurance of Glasgow's Tenements was echoed by MSP Paul Sweeney, who said on social media: 'It's frustrating that a second tenement building has now collapsed at Albert Cross after five years of limbo, despite being listed and in the East Pollokshields Conservation Area. 'A lack of insurance and insufficient state support to facilitate repairs. We need a new Tenement Act.' Pete added that they all "just wanted to move on with our lives," and hopes a solution can be found. Southside Housing Association did not comment on the situation.
