A popular Glasgow cafe is set to expand after plans were approved for a restaurant offering “a beautifully curated menu with considered alcoholic pairings”.
Outlier, on London Road, has been granted permission to turn part of its art gallery into the restaurant — which is expected to create at least 14 jobs and increase the number of seats in the venue from 40 to 130.
The application, which was approved by council planners on Friday, stated the large gallery was seen as “excessive” and “difficult to fill” by artists, leading to a decision to “expand on the already successful cafe… and establish a respected restaurant”.
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A smaller gallery area will remain and the plans added the “success of the restaurant will allow Outlier to further their support and funding of their arts and community hub”.
The proposal, submitted by architectural firm New Practice on behalf of Outlier, also stated: “With the success of Outlier as a cafe, the owner is now keen to expand and onboard a kitchen team coming from prominent restaurants in Glasgow (including Michelin star kitchens) and is excited to be able to contribute to the night-time economy in our city.”
It added the venue will provide a “dining experience from 8am through to midnight”. “Ultimately the ambition is to expand what is an existing hub of the local community, a gallery and cafe space, to draw people from across the city (and further afield) for a day-to-night offering centred around a beautifully curated menu with considered alcoholic pairings.”
Previously a betting shop, the London Road unit lay empty for at least five years before Outlier, which opened in 2022, took over. Plans stated the cafe has had a “positive impact” in the area and “aided with stitching the east of the city to Merchant City”.
It is set to be redeveloped, providing a new kitchen, allowing the food service to expand, and extra toilets. (Image: Sourced)
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The gallery allows new and emerging artists to show their works free of charge. In its application, Outlier said the arts venue has been welcomed by many, particularly with “so many institutions falling victim to financial constraints brought about with covid and the current economic instability facing many operators”.
Currently, the venue’s basement is largely used for storage.
It is set to be redeveloped, providing a new kitchen, allowing the food service to expand, and extra toilets.
The documents submitted to the council stated staff numbers would increase from 16 to 30-40.
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