Meet the owners bringing a beloved Glasgow pub back to life

The community pub and function hall first opened in the 1960s and was a hit with locals of Eastfield and Cambuslang alike.

Over the years, the venue fell into "disrepair" and people in the area stopped frequenting The County Inn.

Now, the new owner Alex Mcdowall, 51, has undertaken the hero task of bringing the pub back to its former glory.

Alex McDowall and Debbie Owens (Image: Alex McDowall at The County, Colin Mearns, Newsquest)

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To help with the undertaking, Alex asked Debbie Owens, 54, to come on board.

Alex said: “It’s a very big community pub and always has been a very big community pub.

"Debbie is local in the community so that’s partly the reason I approached her and asked if she would be interested.”

The pair have known each other for around 30 years and are looking forward to bringing the pub back to life.

He said: "We've ripped it apart and we're doing it again."

The major renovation includes completely gutting the space and putting in a new roof and windows.

The team is also replacing and adding new toilets to the pub and function space and putting a marquee up in the beer garden.

The unit will be split into three separate businesses and the team hope to open in March.

Once up and running, Debbie will take over the new pub, The County.

The function spaces, newly dubbed County 10, will be run by Alex and in the future they plan to have pop-up takeaways at the venue.

Local building companies have been brought in to help with the major project, including McNeil Contracts, Sure Sealed Windows and Doors, Glasgow Building Contractors, and Eastfield Roofing which is run by Debbie's son Jamie Owens.

Alex said "It's exciting and there's been a lot of interest from the locals. I think we're on to a winner."

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Inspiration to take over The County came from its "iconic" status in the area.

Debbie said: "It has so much potential. It was a shame, this big massive venue going to waste.

"Alex coming in has really brought the community back and they're all talking about it."

Comments have been pouring in since they announced the takeover and a lot of people have reflected on meeting their spouse at The County Inn or going dancing there at the weekend.

Alex said: "The function hall has seen many a party, it's seen many a funeral, it's seen all sorts."

Debbie added: "It's exciting for the community, to get them back out. It's a very tight community.

"People growing up that are now in their 30s - their mums and dads and grannies and grandas came and drank in it, and they speak about it with them.

"It's good to see the older ones say that it's great and they'll get down, and just bringing back memories and good times.

"It's just nice coming into the summer now, coming into the spring, that people are going to be able to walk down and come into a nice clean pub with nice pints."

Inquiries are already pouring in for the events space and the team has plans to bring in bingo nights and fundraisers for the area.

Debbie said: "Everything is getting done properly and it’s going to be outstanding, it’s going to be absolutely beautiful.”