Camelon's Union Inn undergoes major refurbishment

The Union Inn in Camelon will soon have a new lease of life as it undergoes a major refurbishment.
Picture Michael GillenPicture Michael Gillen
Picture Michael Gillen

Work on the landmark pub, which sits beside Lock 16 of the Forth & Clyde Canal, has been ongoing for several weeks.

Now, co-directors Colin Clark and Forbes Dewar - who lease the historic building from Scottish Canals - hope it will be ready to welcome customers within the next month or so.

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In a nod to tradition, the pub's new restaurant will be called Auntie Katie's - the name that has been associated with the inn since the 1800s.

Mr Dewar and Colin Clark are renovating the Union Inn (Pic: Picture Michael Gillen)Mr Dewar and Colin Clark are renovating the Union Inn (Pic: Picture Michael Gillen)
Mr Dewar and Colin Clark are renovating the Union Inn (Pic: Picture Michael Gillen)

Another noticeable change will be the opening of a large beer garden to the front of the premises with artificial turf, decked areas and picnic benches as well as Covid-safe pods, with self-contained areas for small groups.

Mr Clark said: "Hopefully, it will bring some regeneration to the area because it has been neglected for a number of years.

Picture Michael GillenPicture Michael Gillen
Picture Michael Gillen

"The interior will be finished very soon, and the beer garden just a few weeks after that and then we'll be ready to open as soon as we're allowed to.

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"We've done a lot of work and it will look very different but we've also tried to make sure that everything is in keeping with its heritage.

"We've kept the original bar and we've not torn away any original features - we've kept them and tried to highlight them the best we can.

"We've got lots of pictures with the canal history and the history of the building and of Camelon as a village.

"It's a lovely building and it's got a lot of potential as well."

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The partnership behind the renovations also plans to refurbish the upstairs bedrooms although that part of the project will take longer.

Mr Dewar has a wealth of experience running similar hospitality establishments while Mr Clark has a company that refurbishes hotels and restaurants, which is a good mix of skills he believes.

Further development of the area is planned by Scottish Canals, which is leading a £7 million renovation of Lock 16, working with the Scottish Government and Falkirk Council to regenerate the canal side.

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