WORKERS at Glasgow's first style bar were today told it would not be closed or turned into a restaurant.

Staff at Bar Ten, in Mitchell Lane, feared a new ownership might trigger job losses and a change in use for the city centre business.

But Pellegrini, the com­pany that owns The Drake Gastro Bar and Restaurant, near Charing Cross, dismissed the claims.

One Bar Ten worker said: "Unfortunately we have now been informed the bar is to change hands and, yet again, is under threat of being destroyed as the original style and design bar that we are all proud of.

"We have seen the plans, which suggest nothing of the current bar will be maintained and the business itself will cease to trade.

"In its place, another generic restaurant - with the disappointing name Ten Belles - will take its place."

But a spokesman for Pellegrini said: "We are trying to buy the bar, but we have no plans to sack staff, demolish walls or change the name of Bar Ten to Ten Belles.

"If we are successful in our purchase the bar will close for a little while because we want to carry out renovations. We want to make the place nicer. I pass the place most days and it is dead.

The firm insists the new-look Bar Ten will continue to operate primarily as a pub, but will sell "high end food."

The new owner will also sell a selection of cocktails, fine wines and a bigger variety of beers.

The Pellegrini spokesman insisted there would be no name change and added: "It needs a freshen-up, but there will no major changes - more a spruce-up."

Bar Ten opened its doors in 1991 as Scotland's first style bar. It was designed by interiors guru Ben Kelly. His designs have included Manchester's legendary nightclub The Hacienda.

Bar Ten, which has 11 staff, is being sold for "business reasons" by Motherwell-based Navan Taverns.

But a spokeswoman for the owner said: "We are still talking to the lawyers. It is not signed, sealed or delivered. It could all fall through. At the minute it is not a done deal."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk