Marston's to spend £3m on new Ravenscraig pub and create 45 jobs

Nov 14 2012 By Robert Mitchell

The Ravenscraig site where Marston's want to build a pub

Independent brewer Marston’s are serving up a jobs boost with a £3million pub and restaurant in Ravenscraig.

The redevelopment of the former steelworks is picking up pace after a deal was done on a 1.1 acre site across from the sports centre.

Planning consent is about to be lodged for the new £2.9 million family pub restaurant, which will sit within a larger 4.7 acre space released for commercial development last year.

Construction work is expected to get under way early next year and, once completed in late 2013, Marston’s expect to create up to 45 full and part-time permanent jobs.

Adrian Blackburn, acquisitions manager for Marston’s, said: “We are very pleased to be able to sign up to the site at Ravenscraig, subject to gaining planning and licensing consents, as we see it as a major springboard for our development activity in the Central Lowland belt of Scotland, and hopefully as a catalyst for further development there.

“Dependent upon progress through planning and licensing, we would like to be on site in 2013 with a pre-Christmas opening. The intention is to serve an under-provided market of families, females, and across the age range, with casual dining being the main focus of activity. The family pub-restaurant is geared towards fitting the needs of the residents and employees in the area, particularly when Ravenscraig becomes fully developed over the coming years.”

Marston’s are the UK’s largest independent brewing and pub company. Developers hope the new venue will become the latest symbol of the regeneration of Ravenscraig, and Ravenscraig Ltd is a joint venture company comprising Wilson Bowden Developments, Tata Steel and Scottish Enterprise.

Wilson Bowden managing director Nick Richardson said: “We are working hard to create a thriving community at Ravenscraig and this deal to create a new family pub is an important next step. Residents, students at Motherwell College and visitors to the sports centre will all benefit from having this facility at the heart of the new community. Engaging with a respected operator like Marston’s demonstrates we are committed to turning Ravenscraig into a location people will want to work, live and visit.”

Ravenscraig Ltd appointed Cushman and Wakefield to handle the sale of the leisure opportunity, while Tangent Properties acted for Marston’s.

John Menzies, partner at Cushman and Wakefield, said: “Marston’s will be a terrific addition to the Ravenscraig site. This particular location is highly visible from the main road and has excellent access courtesy of the adjoining roundabout.

“This, coupled with a population of 60,000 people within a 10-minute drive of the site makes it a very strong proposition for prospective occupiers.

“The intention now is to create a cluster of commercial units by releasing the plots adjoining Marston’s to the market. These could be designed to meet specific occupier requirements and could be suitable for retail, restaurant, hotel or other leisure uses.”

Ravenscraig is expected to create 12,000 jobs and attract £1.2 billion of private sector investment over the next 15 to 20 years.