Plans to establish a new craft Scotch Whisky Distillery, The Glasgow Distillery, and Visitor Centre on the banks of the River Clyde have been given the green light, creating 25 new jobs.
Glasgow City Council has approved a planning application, submitted in October 2013, to create a Single Malt Distillery at 100 Stobcross Road.
The £10 million project will transform the iconic Pump House building, which sits between the Riverside Museum and the Hydro Arena in the west end of the city, creating up to 300 jobs during the construction phase and helping to continue the regeneration of this part of the Clydeside area. Work will get underway later this year, after Glasgow has hosted the Commonwealth Games.
The Pump House building, currently owned by Clydeport, will be home to the whisky museum and interactive visitor experience whilst contemporary new buildings will contain a specialist whisky retail outlet, café, whisky tasting bar and the main attraction, the Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery.
The Glasgow Distillery is planned for completion by autumn 2015, and once opened will create at least 25 new permanent jobs.
The project, which will celebrate the role whisky has played in shaping both Glasgow's and Scotland's heritage, has been developed by a small group of industry experts, led by Tim Morrison - formerly of Morrison Bowmore Distillers and current proprietor of the AD Rattray Scotch Whisky Company.
The opening of the new visitor attraction will be something for both residents and visitors to the city to look forward to, after the Commonwealth Games and year of homecoming have finished and it will kick start plans to develop the whole area from the SECC along to the Riverside Museum.
Welcoming the news about the successful planning application, Tim Morrison said:
"The city was once home to many whisky distilleries and we think The Glasgow Distillery will put Glasgow right back on the Scotch whisky map. Few people know the historical significance of the iconic pump house building to the Scotch Whisky trade. In years gone by, this building controlled the entry bridge into the Queens Dock ensuring Customs and Excise could keep a close eye on goods in and out, including Scotch Whisky."
"My great grandfather, John Morrison, built the Pump House in 1877 and it gives me great pleasure, to now have the opportunity to bring the building back to life, restore it to its former glory and give the building and the surrounding area the respect and status it deserves."
