The Princess in Riddrie and The Drum in Shettleston have revamped their interiors and are looking forward to welcoming customers back when they reopen in the months following the COVID-19 lockdown.

The Drum reopened on Monday, following a £210,000 refurbishment from Star Pubs & Bars, while work is due to begin on a £325,000 renovation of The Princess on Smithcroft Road.

The reopening of The Drum has been delayed by four months due to the pandemic. The refurbishment has broadened its appeal and made it family-friendly and inviting to all. The previously dated pub now boasts a rustic urban style with wood floors and paneling, leather seating and café style windows. Traditional features such as the coach lights have been retained, and the original snug restored for group bookings. Plus, for sports enthusiasts, there are high tables with their own mini TVs and big screens.

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. The revamp will provide the Glasgow local with a smart new look and a welcoming appearance that will enhance the neighbourhood. As well as installing new windows, the project will render and paint the building and add new signage and lighting.

The pub’s garden will be turned into one of the best outdoor spaces in the area. Perfect for social distancing, it will have seating for 80, new decking and pretty planting plus covered sections and heating for year-round use. The improvements inside The Princess will be equally dramatic. The overhaul features new toilets, a refitted kitchen and a stylish design complete with wood floors and booth seating.

The investment in both pubs has been made by Star Pubs & Bars, The UK pub division of Heineken. The firm has also refurbished The Abbey in Paisley and The Spateston Inn in Renfrewshire.

Star Pubs & Bars said that 30 new jobs will be created due to its investment programme.

Lawson Mountstevens, managing director of the firm, said: “We’re firm believers in the future of community locals. In challenging times such as these, they’re even more important to the residents they serve. However, they need to keep pace with pubgoers’ changing expectations. These refurbishments will reward regulars for their loyalty and attract the new customers pubs need to thrive for the long term.

“This investment also underlines the benefits of the tied pubs model for licensees. It comes at a time when the lower risk and higher support of the tied model in Scotland is in danger of being jeopardised by The Tied Pubs Bill now being considered by the Scottish Parliament.”

Star Pubs & Bars has 240 pubs in Scotland including more than 50 pubs in the Glasgow area. Work starts at The Princess on 10th August. The Princess is expected to open in early October.