Glasgow bar chief to revive marina venue

A HIGH-PROFILE restaurateur has stepped in to revive a popular canal-side venue near Kilsyth, creating 30 jobs in the process.

Ryan Barrie, owner of Citation and the Spiritualist in Glasgow, has pledged to bring a “city centre dining experience” to The Boathouse, which overlooks Auchinstarry Marina.

The venue had closed its doors suddenly with the loss of 36 jobs in October, when previous owner Town House Restaurants Limited went into liquidation.

Mr Barrie will run the venture alongside wife and former Miss Scotland, Aisling Friel, and said the local community had shown considerable interest in the project since work on the relaunch began.

He said: “We regularly had people knocking on our doors asking what was happening to the place, and when we were opening. People were upset

People were upset at closure and excited to know it was re-opening

about its closure, and excited to know it was opening up again.”

Liquidators for the venue’s previous owner said the closure had been “indicative of wider difficulties facing the casual dining sector”, which led to a number of high-profile operators closing outlets last year.

The new owners say they are investing in a “light touch” refurbishment and will revamp the food offer under chef Mark Stocks, who created the menus at the Spiritualist and Citation.

Mr Barrie said: “My intention is to once again make The Boathouse renowned for its superb food, range of drinks and quality service. On our menu, we are offering Scottish culinary classics, prepared by the hugely talented chef, Mark Stocks.”

He added: “We are forecasting to grow our core team as the business develops.”