TWO East End pubs are set to benefit from a major refurbishment programme.

Work is set to start on a £325,000 refurbishment of The Princess on Smithcroft Road in Riddrie.

Whilst The Drum on Shettleston Road in Shettleston has reopened following a £210,000 makeover.

Glasgow Times:

The joint investment at The Princess is being undertaken with mother and daughter team, Adrienne Greenaway and Victoria Asghar, who have run the pub for nearly 20 years.

Victoria said: “We’ve been closed since lockdown. The Princess is a hub of the community and regulars are missing it terribly.

“We want to give Riddrie a really great local, so hopefully people will feel it’s worth the wait.

“We’ll be able to properly cater for women, families and senior citizens for the first time.

“We’ll have everything from special meals for children to prosecco for ladies’ get-togethers.

“Residents won’t have to travel into the centre for a meal, entertainment or a fantastic night out anymore, it’ll all be on the doorstep.

“For those concerned about using public transport during the pandemic, that should be a real added bonus.”

Glasgow Times:

Work started at The Princess yesterday and the pub expected to open in early October.

Glasgow Times:

While the reopening of The Drum was delayed by four months due to the pandemic, the boozer is looking forward to welcoming regulars back. It reopened on August 3.

Glasgow Times:

Operator John O’Malley: “The Drum has been part of Shettleston since 1868 but had lost its way and appeal in recent years. Our aim is to give The Drum a new direction that meets the needs of everyone in the community and puts it back on the map. People are desperate for good news at the moment. There’s been lots of excitement about the prospect of a new-look local. We’ve had a terrific response from regulars and residents.”

Glasgow Times:

Both pubs are part of the Star Pubs & Bars group. They have 240 pubs in Scotland including more than 50 establishments in the Glasgow area.