London’s iconic Ivy Collection unveils plans to open branch in Glasgow

The dining heavyweight has recently submitted a bid for a new bistro, finds Rosalind Erskine

After the news that the Ivy Collection was coming north of the Border to Edinburgh, it has been revealed that there will also be an A-list addition to Glasgow’s dining scene.

Located in the city centre in a former bank building, the group is hoping to obtain a first floor and basement, making the space ideal for a large outlet and akin to what will be available in Edinburgh’s The Ivy on the Square.

As with the capital, we can expect the interiors to include artwork from Adam Ellis, a vast cocktail menu (with possible whisky trolley), a menu inspired by Scottish produce and an accessible, fun vibe, with tables available on a walk-in basis.

Eric Garnier, General Manager of The Ivy on the Square, which will open in Edinburgh in the autumn said: “a Glasgow restaurant will open next year and it is going to be different but I think it’ll work as we will do something for the city that people will enjoy. There are some very good restaurants in the city, and there’s a lot of people who know what they are doing – they understand the Glasgow market, which has changed a lot recently – but we plan to add to the dining scene.

“I am excited to open in Edinburgh as it will be a big lesson for us before we move on to Glasgow. Knowing that Edinburgh and Glasgow are very different, but there’s still a Scottish culture (in each) at the end of the day.”

The Ivy Collection has submitted plans to Glasgow City Council via property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton, for a site which is currently occupied by the Nationwide Building Society in 106 Buchanan Street. The plans show that the group are hoping to invest around £2,000,000 to transform the site into a ground floor bar and first floor restaurant – with a total of 180 covers inside and a further 24 covers outdoors on Royal Bank Place.

The application includes drawings of the venue and the proposed name: ‘The Ivy, House 106.’

The Ivy Collection is a group of 13 restaurants, brasseries and cafés, originating with the Ivy on West Street in London 100 years ago, which is operated separately.

The collection offers accessible, allday dining in a relaxed, local setting, and as well as sites in London, Bristol and Surrey, is set to open in Bath, York, Guildford, Cheltenham and Harrogate later this year, with a total of 30 sites anticipated to be open by the end of 2018.

0 The Ivy Cafe in Richmond