A LEADING Scottish hospitality entrepreneur is to open a new restaurant.

Alan Tomkins has chosen Glasgow’s Maryhill as the location for his latest venture, The Botany.

Tomkins is behind a whole host of the city’s best-loved institutions, including Urban Bar and Brasserie, Vroni’s Wine Bar and Blue Dog.

The new Maryhill Road venue will open on Wednesday 12th September.

The name pays homage to the tale of prisoners starting their journey to Botany Bay on the nearby Forth and Clyde Canal.

Tomkins, a former board director of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, believes this move could encourage more bars and restaurants to think outside the box and break free from the shackles of the West End.

He said: “This is a very exciting time for Glasgow. Having worked in hospitality for as long as I can remember, I’ve seen the city change its attitudes towards food and drink. Options used to be very limited. Now, Glasgow’s a haven for foodies.”