Plans drawn up to reconstruct city pub hit by police helicopter disaster
ARCHITECTS have drawn up plans to rebuild the Clutha bar in the wake of the fatal helicopter tragedy 14 months ago.
Owner Alan Crossan is working with architects on the redesign of the Glasgow pub and the plans will be submitted to the city council for consideration.
Ten people were killed after a Police Scotland aircraft plunged through the roof of the bar on November 29, 2013.
Mr Crossan said he hoped to open the bar in stages and was keen to stress he did not think it was “appropriate” to open the Clutha as it was.
Pilot David Traill and his passengers, police officers Kirsty Nelis and Tony Collins, lost their lives. Those killed in the pub were John McGarrigle, Mark O’Prey, Gary Arthur, Colin Gibson, Robert Jenkins and Samuel McGhee. Joe Cusker died in hospital several days after the crash.
Dozens of other people were injured.
The first stage of the re-opening will involve building a roof over the beer garden, using the Victoria Bar and a small part of the Clutha.
Mr Crossan said it was a temporary solution.
He wants to start discussions with the council to discuss a permanent solution, which he hopes will include a “fitting and lasting” memorial for those who died.
Mr Crossan said: “Decisions I had to and still have to make regarding the rebuild of the Clutha have been very challenging and are obviously very sensitive.
“Everybody has an opinion on what I should do and I know I will not please everyone whatever happens.
“To stand in the pub just now where 10 lives were lost is difficult.
“At the moment I don’t think that it is appropriate to open the Clutha as it was.
“I can assure everyone that I will bring the Clutha back but only time can help me with how I do this.”
Mr Crossan said he hoped the first phase would be completed by April.
He said: “I feel that we need to bring back the Clutha in stages, hopefully this will allow people to ease back in.”
Among the plans for the rebuild, Mr Crossan hopes to refurbish the toilets, and install a pizza oven.
Carrick McCormack McIntyre Architects have drawn up the plans.