Grain and Grind wants to open a new coffee shop in Pollokshields
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
A Glasgow coffee shop chain is planning to open a new venue in Pollokshields.
Grain and Grind has asked Glasgow City Council for permission to convert a shop at the corner of Nithsdale Place and Nithsdale Road.
The application states the area has seen “a number of cafés, bistros and wine bars” opening in recent years, and is “a well known and popular destination and community hub”.
“The premises will be occupied by a branch of the very popular Grain and Grind coffee shop chain,” it adds. The company has several coffee shops across the city, including in Strathbungo, Cathcart and Dennistoun.
Plans were submitted by the firm in June last year and have now been validated by the council, which is aiming to make a decision by September 24.
The application shows the café intends to open from 10am to 9pm seven days a week.
It states: “Externally the most significant change will be the re-opening of the blocked up doorway onto Nithsdale Place.
“This will permit the installation of the low level extraction system and offer the possibility to access an outdoor seating area were this ever to be considered.
“The only other change will be the reinstatement of the interesting entrance doorway and glazing.”
Plans add the proposed change of use will “introduce a new service to the area and contribute to the range of eateries in the area”.
“The new facility will complement other establishments in the area, and contribute to the area’s appeal for both residents and visitors alike.”
Mascot Finnie and Team Wales at Glasgow Marriott
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Glasgow Marriott Hotel has revealed what it’s like to host athletes and support teams during the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, including extraordinary volumes of kitchen preparation, storing abnormal baggage and over the unforgettable 11-day sporting spectacular.
As an official partner hotel of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, the four-star deluxe city centre hotel welcomed teams and officials from across the Commonwealth, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Behind the scenes, months of planning went into ensuring athletes had everything they needed to perform at their best, and as the Games drew nearer, crates of deliveries from the Games sponsors and brand partners arrived from bottled water and wellbeing care packages to branded merchandise. The hotel also had to prepare for storing and accommodating large and abnormal luggage including pole vaults which presented an interesting challenge for the team.
The hotel’s kitchen also prepared for thousands of high-protein breakfasts and recovery meals, serving around the clock with the kitchen in full swing from 4.30am until midnight every day of the Games.
Over the 11 days, the team served:
21,000 eggs
4,000 chicken breasts – around one tonne of chicken
2,500 pancakes
4,000 bananas
More than 10,000 cups of coffee
But it wasn’t just the food that made the Games memorable. The Glasgow Marriott also welcomed medal winners from England, Australia, New Zealand and Scotland, balancing the excitement of the Games with providing athletes a calm environment to rest, recover and prepare between competitions. This included Kate O’Connor who made history by winning Northern Ireland’s first gold medal in the women’s heptathlon.
One of the standout moments of the Games inside the hotel came when members of the New Zealand team performed a traditional Haka in the Marriott Restaurant to honour their medal-winning teammates. The spontaneous celebration drew applause from the entire restaurant.
Fresh from its multi-million-pound refurbishment, the Glasgow Marriott was dressed for the occasion, with artwork and murals celebrating Glasgow and Scotland providing a fitting backdrop for visitors experiencing the city during one of its biggest sporting events of the year.
The celebrations started at Glasgow Marriott even before the opening ceremony, with official Games mascot Finnie making a special visit to the hotel. The team also embraced Scotland’s nationwide ‘All In’ campaign by creating special Games-themed cocktails complete with an ‘All In’ dusting, helping guests get into the Commonwealth spirit.
Chris McGuinness, General Manager of Glasgow Marriott Hotel, said:
“We’ve hosted international sports teams for many years, but being an official partner hotel for a home Commonwealth Games was incredibly special. There was a real buzz throughout the hotel from the moment guests arrived, and it was fantastic to see athletes, coaches and Games Family members from across the Commonwealth coming together under one roof.
“Of course, our priority was making sure every guest had the rest, nutrition and warm welcome they needed, but we also had the privilege of sharing in some unforgettable moments. The Games showcased Glasgow at its very best. We were proud to play a small part in welcoming the world to our city and to deliver the kind of hospitality Glasgow is famous for.”
The Glasgow Marriott has been welcoming visitors to the city for more than 40 years and regularly hosts elite sports teams, major conferences and international events.
A plan to build flats on a gap site in Battlefield has been submitted to Glasgow City Council
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
Fresh plans for a Battlefield “gap site” near to Langside library could see 17 flats and five houses built.
Glasgow City Council has received an application from Stranger Than Paradise Ltd to develop empty land at 8 to 10 Sinclair Drive.
The site, between Sinclair Nursery and a new Italian restaurant, Sunday Hat, was once home to a Victorian villa. Previous planning applications indicate the land was cleared around 2009.
The developers have proposed five mews houses to the rear of the site with a mix of one and two-bed flats facing onto Sinclair Drive.
Private roof terraces, balconies and landscapes are expected to be included in the development.
Plans for 14 flats and a ground floor restaurant on the land were approved in 2017. The application was then amended in late 2021 to remove conditions relating to an oak tree on a neighbouring site.
In December 2024, an application to renew permission for that project was submitted to the council, but it was later withdrawn.
Council planners are currently considering the application and a decision is expected by September 9.
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Children and young people are having a ball, raising a racket and taking the plunge thanks to a free ‘Summer of Sport’ in Bearsden, Bishopbriggs and Kirkintilloch.
If you’re under the age of 18 and live – or attend school – in East Dunbartonshire you can enjoy free access to local authority pools, pitches and courts until 16 August 2026.
The initiative has been organised by East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust (EDLCT), thanks to funding from sportscotland.
Young people, as well as families with children, can book a variety of courts and pitches for free:
Allander Leisure Centre, Milngavie Road, Bearsden, G61 3DF (call 0141 777 3070):
– Book an indoor court to play badminton, pickleball or tennis (one per day), with loan equipment available
– Swim – no booking required.
Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre, Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch, G66 3DD (call 0141 578 8222):
– Book an indoor court for badminton or pickleball (one per day), with loan equipment available
– Book an outdoor five-a-side football pitch (please bring your own ball)
– Swim – no booking required.
The Leisuredrome, 147 Balmuildy Road, Bishopbriggs, G64 3HD (call 0141 777 3060):
– Book an indoor court for badminton or pickleball (one per day), with loan equipment available
– Book an outdoor five-a-side football pitch (please bring your own ball)
– Swim – no booking required.
Huntershill Sports Hub, 35 Auchinairn Road, Bishopbriggs, G64 1RU (call 0141 777 3061):
– Book an outdoor court to play tennis (one per day), with loan equipment available.
Pitches and courts can be booked by young people aged eight and above (one per day) – up to 24 hours in advance. Call the centre or pop in.
If you’re a parent/guardian/carer, you can book a pitch or court with your child(ren) for free (one per day).
For swimming, if there’s space then young people can take the plunge as many times as they like (under-eights must be supervised).
The offer is open to anyone under the age of 18 who lives in East Dunbartonshire or attends a local school, as well as local secondary pupils who are 18.
For more information, including terms and conditions, please visit www.edlc.co.uk/whats-on/summer-of-sport.
Alan Wright, Chair of the EDLCT Board, said, “If you’ve been inspired by the World Cup, Wimbledon or the Commonwealth Games then it’s game on! This is a sporting chance to enjoy first-class facilities and activities for free.
“We’re delighted to have secured funding from sportscotland, which we’re using to provide more opportunities for children and families as part of the 2026 ‘Summer of Sport’. We hope it will help to inspire everyone to see what’s available locally.”
Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said, “At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 ‘Summer of Sport’ campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible.”
EDLCT is also offering a range of free and paid-for activities during the summer holidays – from sports camps and swimming courses to robot car racing and art workshops. Find out more by visiting www.edlc.co.uk/whats-on/summer-activities-kids-2026
The former Glasgow Bridge Centre on Pollokshaws Road is set to be turned into a self care club
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Drew Sandelands
A ‘self care’ club offering skincare treatments, a sauna and yoga classes is set to open in Glasgow’s southside.
Glasgow City Council has approved a proposal from Serene Self Care Club Ltd to convert the former Glasgow Bridge Centre in Shawlands.
Plans describe the venue as a “wellness and recovery club focused on improving how people feel — physically, mentally and socially — through calm, structured experiences rather than high-intensity or entertainment-led activity”.
They state the operation will include skincare and recovery treatments delivered in a private room, contrast therapy (sauna and cold exposure) in bookable sessions and a movement studio offering yoga, pilates, breath-work and mobility-based classes.
There will also be a “ritual lounge” providing “circulation space, waiting areas and low-key recovery experiences”.
The Pollokshaws Road venue is set to open from 6am to 1pm and 4pm to 10pm on Monday, Thursday and Friday, and then from 8am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Classes will operate on a fixed weekly timetable with a maximum of 10 participants per class, according to the application.
It adds: “In addition to its core wellness operations, Serene Self Care Club will host a limited programme of curated, small-scale events aligned with its community, cultural, and wellbeing ethos
“These may include wellness workshops, educational talks, small community gatherings, curated listening sessions, film clubs, and intimate live or acoustic performances.
“Events are occasional and infrequent, take place within approved operating hours, and are designed to create a listening-level, reflective atmosphere rather than an entertainment-led environment.”
The club intends to be a “community-led project rooted in the people and culture of Glasgow’s southside”, which aims to “support local practitioners, creatives, and facilitators by providing a professional, well-managed platform for workshops, talks, and small-scale cultural activity”.
The application continues: “The space is designed to encourage habits that support physical recovery, mental wellbeing, and social connection, offering an alternative to alcohol-led or consumption-driven leisure within the local area.”
Members who volunteer at Garrowhill Bowling Club (image: Councillor Kevin Lalley)
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
A local bowling club is holding a celebration day as Commonwealth Games excitement grips Glasgow.
Garrowhill Bowling Club won Commonwealth Games community funding to host the event, which will see people dress up as Egyptians and Romans, with a tournament taking place.
The community gathering will showcase the history of bowls through the ages.
There is also to be a pageant parade led by a pipe band and a presentation and Bailie Kevin Lalley will open the 24 team tournament.
Event organiser and bowling club member Robert Batty said: “It is a celebration of bowls and what bowls can do for everybody in terms of wellbeing. It is a community event and a gathering.
“Everybody has bought into it – including all the local clubs, church groups, children’s groups and the local primary school.”
Bailie Lalley said: “This event is a wonderful occasion for our community. Garrowhill Bowling Club has been an institution in Garrowhill for many years, many people use the bowling club for competition, for fun and for families.
“‘Bowls through the ages’ will bring everyone together to enjoy the pageantry and the togetherness of each other. The men and women of the bowling club have come up with the idea of this event to celebrate the Commonwealth Games and must be congratulated with their belief in our community.”
He added: “School children and church groups have been involved along with the various community councils across the Baillieston ward, everyone is looking forward to it and let’s hope the legacy is one of a community who come together stays together.”
The club successfully secured funding from the Glasgow 2026 Festival Fund to lay on the celebration.
The event will take place on July 25.
The pupils visited the Watt Institution and created models as part of the project
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Talented pupils from Inverkip Primary School have created a series of powerful animated short films inspired by historic artefacts held at the Watt Institution.
Over the past year, the P5B youngsters and their class teacher Katie D’Souza worked with Noel Griffin, learning and engagement officer at the museum, to create the eight films.
The History = Our Story project was funded by the Scottish Government and encouraged the children to explore the museum’s collection in relation to colonialism, environmental exploitation, Indigenous knowledge and global inequality, using the artefacts as the starting points for discussion.
Rather than just learning about history, the pupils became historians, researchers, storytellers and digital creators. They were all directly involved in carrying out the research during trips to the Watt Institution then wrote a script, produced storyboards, created drawings and 3D models and recorded voiceovers.
Some of the films are closely linked to Inverclyde’s past such as sugar and shipbuilding while others focused on stories around ivory bracelets, eucalyptus and the extinction of the passenger pigeon.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of education and communities, said: “This is a fantastic project and the films the children have created are just brilliant.
“This is a great way of bringing the past to life in an accessible way for young people. The project demonstrates how museums and schools can work together to help young people engage with history and complex issues while developing key creative, critical and digital skills.
“Inverclyde’s colonial past is one we should not, and have not, shied away from. Indeed Katie D’Souza and Noel Griffin both have history with this as they were part of the team which developed Inverclyde Council’s COSLA award-winning Historic Links to Slavery project in 2023.
“Well done to everyone involved at the Watt Institution and Inverkip Primary for supporting the young people to showcase their talents. I highly recommend taking look at the videos – I can guarantee you’ll learn something new!”
The project has already attracted national interest, having been recognised by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education in Scotland as an example of Highly Effective Practice.
The films are all available to view now on Inverclyde Council’s YouTube channel and will also leave a legacy as part of the visitor experience when the council-run Watt Institution, which incorporates the McLean Museum & Art Gallery, Watt Library and Watt Hall, reopens later this year.
East Renfrewshire Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
As East Renfrewshire celebrates its 30th anniversary plans are being developed to bury a time capsule for future generations to discover.
And residents are being invited to share their ideas for what should be included – as the council aims to capture the story of who we are, where we’ve come from, and what matters to our communities today.
Ideas already considered for inclusion are a map of the area showing how our towns and villages have evolved, school ties, uniforms, photos, or everyday items that capture community life, culture and change. From technology and transport to education and leisure, no suggestion is too small if it helps show how times have changed.
The time capsule will be buried close to the construction works at the new Eastwood Leisure Centre and Theatre – a fitting location to represent both our history and our future.
Council Leader Owen O’Donnell said: “The burial of this time capsule uniquely marks the legacy which has been constructed over the past 30 years. This moment offers us the opportunity to reflect upon and celebrate the rich community life within East Renfrewshire, whilst looking positively towards the future. One day the time capsule will be uncovered by future generations, offering a snapshot of East Renfrewshire in 2026 – so let’s hear your suggestions for what should be included.”
Contact communications@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk with your ideas and suggestions.
Inverclyde Council headquarters
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
A giant inflatable arena, funded climbing wall and soft play sessions as well as free rounds of golf are just some of the fun activities lined up for young people in Inverclyde this summer.
Inverclyde Council received £165,000 from the £20 million Summer of Sport initiative, funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland.
The money will fund projects through to March 2027 and £20,000 has already been handed out in grants to local community groups.
Now more details have now been released on activities which will be run in partnership with Inverclyde Leisure and funded by Summer of Sport during the school summer holidays.
Inflatazone is a giant indoor inflatable arena which is packed with obstacle courses, sports challenges and active play which will be at Greenock Sports Centre every Monday to Friday from 9.30am till 4.30pm and will cost just £3 per child.
Every Friday during the summer, under-25s can play at Whinhill Golf Club for free; the popular X-height climbing walls at Ravenscraig Activity Centre will be at the reduced rate of £3 all summer; 10-14-year-old girls can take part in a free FAST fitness class at the Waterfont Leisure Complex every Thursday evening from 6-6.30pm; and the soft play at Boglestone Community Hub will be at a reduced rate of £3 every Wednesday and Thursday during the holidays.
Also funded by Summer of Sport are Active Schools sports sessions taking place at secondaries across Inverclyde during the school holidays for P1-P7 children.
The Summer of Sport-funded projects are running alongside the summer holiday activities funded by Inverclyde Council which include a Schools Out pool party at the Waterfront from 2pm till 6pm on Tuesday 30 June and free swimming every Wednesday for all under-16s in Inverclyde.
Free Summer Playschemes run from Monday 6 July till Friday 31 July at Kilmacolm, St Michael’s, St Patrick’s, Moorfoot, Lady Alice and Wemyss Bay primary schools, and at Auchmountain Resource Centre on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays for three weeks from July 6.
Councillor Jim Clocherty, convener of education and communities, said: “This is a great programme of activities to keep children active and entertained this summer.
“There’s everything from golf to climbing to fitness classes and soft play for younger ones.
“There is lots out there to get involved in – and to give a helping hand to working parents during the holidays – so I would urge people to check the website and have a great summer!”
Go to Summer of Sport – Inverclyde Council for full details and links to what’s on.
New Monkland PS Nursery in Glenmavis
Written by Glasgow View Reporter, Liam Eunson
New Monkland PS Nursery in Glenmavis is celebrating after receiving a very positive Care Inspectorate report, with inspectors recognising the high-quality experiences being created for children and families every day.
The nursery received Very Good evaluations across all inspected areas, Leadership, Children Play and Learn, and Children are Supported to Achieve.The report praised the nurturing relationships between staff and children, noting that children felt safe, valued and supported to grow in confidence and independence.
Inspectors also recognised the nursery’s child-led approach to learning, where children are encouraged to make choices, follow their interests and shape their own experiences. Outdoor learning and strong links with the local community were highlighted as strengths, giving children opportunities to explore and learn beyond the nursery environment.
Families spoke positively about the welcoming atmosphere and supportive staff team, with one parent describing staff as “going above and beyond” and others recognising the strong relationships built across the nursery community.
Head Teacher Mary Reid said: “We’re delighted with this report and proud that it reflects the experience our children and families have every day at New Monkland. It recognises the care, commitment and teamwork shown across the nursery and our shared focus on creating a place where children feel happy, supported and encouraged to thrive.”
Councillor Michael McBride, Convener of Education and Families, added: “This is an excellent report and a real credit to everyone involved at New Monkland. The report recognises the dedication of staff and the positive, inclusive environment they have created where children can learn, grow in confidence and enjoy being part of their nursery community.”
The report also recognised the nursery’s strong leadership and continued focus on improvement, with staff working together to reflect, develop and ensure children continue to receive the very best start in their learning journey.
