Plans have been revealed for a £7million transformation of one of Glasgow's best-loved landmarks, the Finnieston Crane.
The ambitious three-phase proposal would see the Clydeside 'cran' revamped to become a major attraction, boasting a museum, visitor centre and restaurant, creating 50 jobs for the local area.
The first phase of the plan would see the restaurant, provisionally named 'Glasgow Fare', built in the shadows of the structure, with profits from the food and drink venue going towards funding the restoration of the 89-year-old west end crane. Later phases could see the introduction of a coffee shop and auditorium.
The community interest company behind the plans, Big Cran' Co' would also commission architects to explore ways of getting visitors to the top level of the crane.
They have already leased the structure from owner Peel Ports and are now working with investors from both the private and public sectors.
Big Cran’ Co’s chairman, former Scottish Government minister Allan Wilson, said: “We believe this plan would have enormous benefit to the local community and would preserve a unique and iconic part of Scotland’s heritage.
“The crane played an important part in Glasgow’s industrial past and we want to make sure it remains relevant. It would be great for future generations to understand its story.
“The project can also provide hope as we emerge from lockdown and give a significant economic boost to the area.”
Other directors of the company include architect and project manager Jacqui Nicol, who worked on the board which delivered the Falkirk Kelpies and economist Neil MacCallum.
Some funding streams for the project have already been secured with others, including an application for £300,000 from Historic Environment Scotland, pending.
Reports by engineers Arcadis and environmental consultants RSK estimate the total cost of the crane’s complete regeneration at £5 million. The quayside restaurant is estimated at £1.5 million with further infrastructural costs likely to take the capital spend to £7 million.
Big Cran’ Co director Neil MacCallum added: “Our project can accelerate regeneration and give people access to the benefits of economic recovery.
“We can provide all sorts of benefits to the community - economic, social, environmental, educational and wellbeing. It can also tackle issues around the 'missing opportunities' for communities where despite the apparent wealth that surround them they seem almost forever on the edge of regeneration in a post industrial economy.”
Completed in 1931, the Finnieston Crane, also known as the Stobcross Crane, dominates the west Glasgow skyline.
The crane was originally used to transport locomotives onto ships for global export during Glasgow's industrial engineering heyday.
