Newmains

Pitstop

Manse Road, Newmains, Lanarkshire.

In the News 1972…

It’s All Go At This New Howff

Mining and car-racing have been associated with Lanarkshire since the turn of the century, so when a new tavern was about to be opened in Manse Road, Newmains, what could be more natural than to call it Pit Stop?

The name covers both interests, and, to give the new lounge and bar howff a bit of atmosphere, reproductions of racing cars dating from the beginning of the century until the present day have been hung on the walls of the plush new place.

The holding company of the new venture, which opens today, is West End Taverns, and under their banner they also have the Whistle in West Campbell Street, Glasgow, and the New Inn in Glengarnock. Food, entertainment, good atmosphere, and the personal touch, these are the ingredients which will go into making it one of the most popular howffs in the area.

Price Limit

Snacks will be available at lunchtime and in the evenings at prices which won’t frighten away the pangs of hunger. Manager Peter Devine, who’s had many years experience in the wine and spirit business, tells me that he will be putting a 50p maximum on the foodstuff. Peter says they will be only too delighted to give tenders for receptions, office outings, and wedding parties of up to about 150 people.

Over the festive period the Pit Stop will feature entertainment in their lounge every evening, but later only on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. What I particularly like about the Lanarkshire licensing laws is that people are able to go into a lounge, listen to the music, and have a dance. They’re obviously a bit more liberal and sophisticated than they are in Glasgow.

Talent contest

The Pit Stop has a small dance floor, and Ian Weanie who plays electric organ, will be on stage as resident MC and will be accompanied by a guitarist. Peter says, “We intend making it into a place where folk can come along with their families and have a good night out. We will be having regular sing songs, and perhaps on Saturdays at lunchtime we’ll run talent contests with a small prize.”

The Pit Stop is a free house and the measure for spirits is the stomach-warming quarter gill. “We sell this measure throughout the organisation because we want to give the public value for money,” said Peter. Incidentally, his wife Rose will be looking after the lounge side of the business.

The Pit Stop, before it was given a £20,000 face lift, was a deserted building comprising four walls, a roof, and a floor. So much effort has gone into the plush new hostelry that the owners deserve to get off to a flying start.