Heaven-sent
Countdown is on to grand re-opening party at Angels
Angels Hotel in Uddingston closed its doors in September last year for a major refurbishment and is now edging towards completion with the creation of 13 new jobs for the area.
The grand restoration project has cost owner and ex-celtic legend Harry Hood thousands, but as builders put the finishing touches to the works the popular restaurant is finally beginning to take shape with the restaurant and lounge area ready to open on Thursday, April 6.
Refurbishing an old building has come at a cost too for the owner after they hit a stumbling block when they discovered problems with the building’s main bar floor area.
Siobhan Edwards, Director for Angels Hotel, explained: “When we ripped up the public bar floor it was clear this wasn’t something we could just put back down as a quick fix.
“We called in preservation specialists and their recommendations to replace all floor joists has meant a three week delay and will cost several thousands of pounds. However this was an easy decision for us to make.
“As a family-run business, who are dedicated to our customers and the preservation of this old building in the area, we wanted to make sure this place was around for another 100 years to come.
“We have so many customers coming in and out of the bar area and we wanted to do things the right way. The whole of the floor has been ripped up with workers having to dig down to waist level. It’s been a huge task but something we’ve been dedicated to.
“It is a difficult building to transform, with it being built in 1906, and has brought about its challenges but we are getting there now.
“The bar overall is going to see a lot of changes while we still want to keep a traditional feel to it and really think our customers will love the new look.”
Harry Hood, bought the pub some 46 years ago and has invested a huge amount of cash into the establishment.
He said: “I knew I had to have something in place to do when I stopped playing – I didn’t have a trade and had ignored my education because of football.
“I was on a bus with the rest of the players after a game in Edinburgh and we were going past this pub, the Sherwood Manor in Viewpark, and I overheard Jimmy Johnstone saying to Billy Mcneill that it had potential. The following Monday, I put an offer in.”
Although his football career was far from over, Harry continued to keep his eye on the trade. He spotted a pub in Bellshill called the Iron Maiden, which was said to be the ‘in’ place to go.
He added: “I thought to myself, if Bellshill can have an ‘in’ place, Uddingston can too – and that’s how Angels came about.
“It has always been our flagship, and today Angels continues to stand its ground.”
The main bar area of Angels Hotel is expected to be open at the end of April.
●To celebrate the refurbishment of the hotel your Advertiser has teamed up with our friends at Lisini, owners of Angels, to bring you yet another fabulous competition.
We have an overnight stay for two, which includes, dinner, bed and breakfast and bottle of champagne on arrival, to give-away to one lucky reader.
All you have to do for a chance to win is fill out the coupon (no photocopies accepted) and send to us at: Hamilton Advertiser, Press Buildings, Campbell Street, Hamilton, ML3 6AX. Deadline for entries is noon, April 4.
We wanted to make sure this place was around for another 100 years to come Siobhan Edwards