Randev bros buy two more Glasgow freeholds

Brothers Rahul and Pravesh (Bubbles) Randev have bought the freeholds for the former Café Mao on Glasgow’s Brunswick Street and The Cross Keys in Milngavie, and both will re-open in 2013.
Bubbles told DRAM, “We purchased Mao from the bank, and The Cross Keys from The Spirit Group, the same company we purchased the Eagle Lodge in Bishopbriggs from a few years ago.”
The brothers are keen to replicate the success of their Bishopbriggs outlet at The Cross Keys. Bubbles explains, “The newly-refurbished Cross Keys will open in April 2013 and we want it to attract customers looking for a coffee in the day, and a glass of wine in the evening, much like The Eagle Lodge. We are still finalising the interior design, but it will be a contemporary mix of old and new, incorporating a restaurant area and a mezzanine with an emphasis on sandstone.”
Completion on the deal for Café Mao wasn’t as straightforward, as Bubbles explains. “It took us around two years to finalise the deal to secure the freehold for Mao, but we were keen to see it through as it’s a prime location. We are planning a hybrid deli takeaway and bar on the ground floor, while upstairs will house the second branch of our Indian restaurant concept Rasoi, on the back of the success of Rasoi in Lenzie, Glasgow. There’s not a great deal of work required as the former Mao infrastructure is still in place, like the kitchens, toilets etc. It will open next summer.”
In the meantime, Bar Bola on Park Road in Glasgow (another one of their outlets) will re-open at the end of this month as Richmond Bar Bistro, following extensive alterations. Said Bubbles, “Bar Bola had been leased out, but now we’ve taken it back. It is closed for a complete £400k refit that will see the layout change completely with an island bar on the ground floor, complete with river view. The basement will house the kitchens, office space and toilets.”
The industrious pair are also in the middle of merging former restaurant Irrocco in Lenzie, now closed, with Carriages bar next door. Once complete, it will reopen as a new gastro pub with a roof terrace.