Latest news with #Glasgow-based
Glasgow Times
4 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Spanish bar where Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons shot reopens
Monaghan, 43, and Lyons Jnr, 46, were shot at Monaghans bar in Fuengirola, Costa del Sol, on May 31, 2025. According to BBC News, the pub will now be called The Irish Rover. (Image: Image: Google Maps) It comes after Michael Riley, 44, has been accused by Spanish police of two murders in Fuengirola on May 31. It has previously been reported that the 'gunman' who allegedly shot the two members of the Lyons crime group in Fuengirola 'was a member of the rival Glasgow-based Daniel gang'. (Image: Image: Spindrift) Days after the incident, Police Scotland said there was no intelligence to suggest the deaths were linked to an ongoing suspected 'gangland war' which has resulted in a series of 'violent' incidents across the East and West of Scotland. However, the Spanish National Police have since stated that Monaghan and Lyons Junior were allegedly 'targeted by a professional killer from the Daniel crime group'. Police Scotland has acknowledged the statement from the Spanish authorities but says its position remains that there is no current evidence to suggest the alleged attack was orchestrated from Scotland.
Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scottish Maritime Museum announces international maritime concert
Zawisza Czarny, sea shanty choir from Poland and the Glasgow-based Solo Way Ukrainian Choir will celebrate the seafaring and folk traditions that unite countries across the world The Scottish Maritime Museum is "delighted" to announce that Zawisza Czarny, which is believed to be the largest male sea shanty choir from Poland and only crew of singing sailors in the world, and the all-female Glasgow-based Solo Way Ukrainian Choir will join together for an international maritime concert. The 'Echoes from the Deep' concert will take place on Friday, June 27 at 7.30pm in the museum's glass roofed Linthouse building on Irvine Harbourside. This is the second time that Zawisza Czarny has performed at the Scottish Maritime Museum with the generous support of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh. Once a year, 50 'singing sailors' and crew members aged 20 to 88 years of age, board the 1952 three-masted staysail schooner Zawisza Czarny and sail to European ports to promote maritime traditions by performing as sailors would have aboard the great sailing ships of old. The choir performs classical shanties as they would have been sung whilst working on deck, with the division of vocal parts between shantyman and sailors. They also perform instrumental pieces which would have been played below deck during leisure time along with ceremonial songs and contemporary maritime folk. As well as promoting maritime heritage and building international relationships, Zawisza Czarny commemorates important events in the history of Polish naval and civilian shipping. This year, they mark the MS Piłsudski , a Polish troop carrier lost to enemy action off the UK coast in 1939. The Solo Way Ukrainian Choir was formed by Bozhena Yakymenko in November 2022. The choir was born from her desire to bring comfort through song to Ukrainian women who found refuge in Scotland after the Russian invasion. Under the expert direction of Bozhena, who is a gifted bandura player and musician, the choir has quickly built a diverse and rich repertoire of over thirty songs. These range from the heartfelt melodies of traditional Ukrainian folk tunes, carrying generations of musical heritage, to vibrant contemporary hits, including popular Eurovision songs. Today, Solo Way Ukrainian Choir is a powerful voice of resilience and hope and the group performs at charity concerts and commemorative events, using music to bridge cultures and heal hearts. Eva Bukowska, Exhibitions and Events Officer at the Scottish Maritime Museum, said: "Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience authentic maritime and folk music performed by two choirs whose stories embody the spirit of international friendship and the enduring power of song to connect us across cultures and seas. "From the haunting calls of traditional shanties that once echoed across ship decks to the powerful harmonies that sustained sailors through long voyages, Zawisza Czarny promises to transport everyone back to the golden age of sail. "Their songs also perfectly complement our collection of maritime heritage and the setting of the Linthouse building, which was once a shipyard engine shed in Govan. "The Solo Way Ukrainian Choir is named after the Ukrainian word for nightingale - 'solovey' – a cherished bird which symbolises hope and pure, beautiful singing in Ukrainian culture and that's a perfect reflection of the choir's spirit. "Born from resilience and a shared heritage, the choir is a truly unique and inspiring ensemble. "Altogether, this evening of music and song with Zawisza Czarny and Solo Way Ukrainian Choir promises to be unforgettable and early booking is highly recommended!" Tickets priced £16.50 are available on the museum's website here.
Scotsman
12 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Glasgow construction skills firm sold for £2.2m
A Glasgow-based construction skills provider has been sold for more than £2.2m, almost £400,000 above its original valuation. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The deal was secured following a competitive sale process led by M&A advisory and business finance firm Hilton Smythe. The sale of Competence Matters was completed in just six months, with strong buyer demand at a time when government housebuilding targets collided with a UK skills crisis. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hilton Smythe managed the deal from valuation through to completion, securing a price well above market expectations. Gareth Smyth The business had been owned by David Hanley for more than 20 years, achieving consistent turnovers of £1.2m to £1.3m. With Hanley looking to retire, Hilton Smythe was appointed to bring the business to market and quickly attracted a pool of qualified buyers for this niche business. As a result Hilton Smythe, secured three serious offers within four weeks. David Hanley, founder of Competence Matters, said: 'As I approached retirement, I was bombarded by brokers who felt pushy and overbearing. Hilton Smythe stood out for their straight-talking, yet conscientious approach and willingness to listen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'They came back with a clear, data-backed valuation in 24 hours and were flexible from the start. Katie Holt managed the whole process, navigating team dynamics, negotiating solicitors clauses and everything in between; all while I was able to have a clear head to keep the business running. 'Having Hilton Smythe in my corner made a stressful process so much more manageable and far more successful than I could have achieved on my own.' Gareth Smyth, co-founder and CEO of Hilton Smythe, commented: 'Our industry doesn't always have the best reputation - with too many business owners feeling pressured and underserviced. At Hilton Smythe, we pride ourselves on doing things differently. 'With Competence Matters, we took the time to understand what mattered most to David, from preserving team culture to ensuring the right buyer would drive the business forward for long-term growth and shaped a deal strategy around that. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We supported him throughout the process, acting as the 'bad guys' when needed during tough negotiations and ensuring he had the right legal and financial advice to protect his interests. 'This deal is a great example of how the right advice can lead to a brilliant outcome, not just for the seller, but for the future of the business too.'
The Herald Scotland
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
There's no easy money left in football. Clubs must think differently
Every part of the club, from first team to finance, has to deliver. And in a climate where National Insurance changes, Living Wage increases and energy costs can wipe six figures off a balance sheet overnight, it's more urgent than ever. We talk a lot in football about resilience, and not just on the pitch. It's built on hard choices, deliberate strategy, and a willingness to interrogate every part of the organisation – even the ones that don't usually make the headlines. That's what led us to re-examine something most clubs never mention publicly: payroll. Earlier this year, we made the decision to outsource our payroll to SOLVD., a Glasgow-based support services company with a track record in managing large-scale operations. This move was designed to remove operational risk, reinforce trust across our staff, and free up our internal team to focus where they're most valuable – all without cutting jobs. This wasn't a cost-cutting exercise. It was a value exercise to provide extra security. The difference matters. It's tempting, and common, when facing financial pressure to slash and retreat. But short-term cuts often become long-term weaknesses. Our strategy is different: be forensic. Identify the functions that underpin the club and strengthen them. That includes back-office operations. If they fail, everyone feels it. That thinking isn't unique to us. Any time a club starts to cut costs, it is criticised. And sometimes that's justified, but the broader point stands: the era of waste and inertia in football is closing. Clubs, big and small, must operate with intent. At St Mirren, we have no choice but to create our own future. We don't have a billionaire benefactor. We generate our own income. We reinvest locally. And every decision we make – from a player signing to a payroll partnership – has to support our strategy. That strategy is built on three pillars: people, Paisley and performance. If it doesn't strengthen our community, support our staff, or improve how we operate, we question it. The SOLVD. move ticked all three. It's local. It de-risks a key financial function. And it signals to everyone in the club – from the changing room to the back office — that we're serious about running things professionally. We're not alone. Clubs across the country are facing the same economic headwinds. Some are hoping for a windfall. Some are waiting for the cycle to turn. But those that thrive will be the ones that get out ahead of it by treating operations with the same intensity they treat football. For us, professionalism is a form of care. It's about protecting people. Paying them properly. Giving them confidence that the club is built to last, without a single point of failure. Football's not just changing. It's maturing. Sustainability, risk, security, and trust are the new metrics. They may not draw chants from the stands. But they'll determine whether clubs like ours can still be here, competing long into the future. Keith Lasley is COO of St Mirren Football Club Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Police Scotland update on shooting of Glasgow pair in Spain
The force was pressed by the media after Spanish police spoke out earlier today, stating the 'gunman' who allegedly shot two members of the Lyons crime group in Fuengirola 'was a member of the rival Glasgow-based Daniel gang'. Ross Monaghan, 43, and Eddie Lyons Junior, 46, were gunned down at Monaghan's Bar in the Costa Del Sol at around 11.30pm on Saturday, May 31. Police Scotland update on shooting of Glasgow pair in Spain (Image: SPINDRIFT) Three days later, Police Scotland said there was no intelligence to suggest the deaths were linked to an ongoing suspected 'gangland war' which has resulted in a series of 'violent' incidents across the East and West of Scotland. However, the Spanish National Police have since stated that Monaghan and Lyons Junior were allegedly 'targeted by a professional killer from the Daniel crime group'. Now, Police Scotland has acknowledged this statement from the Spanish authorities but says its position remains that there is no current evidence to suggest the alleged attack was orchestrated from Scotland. READ NEXT: Ross Monaghan and Eddie Lyons Junior 'shot by member of Daniel gang' Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Houston said: 'We have been assisting Spanish colleagues with their investigation into the fatal shootings in Fuengirola. 'We are not aware of any current evidence which suggests the deaths of these two men in Spain are linked to the recent criminal attacks in Scotland being investigated as part of Operation Portaledge. 'We are aware of the statement from the Spanish police and, although we cannot comment on an ongoing investigation in another jurisdiction, our position remains that we have no current evidence to suggest that this incident was orchestrated from Scotland. 'We are aware of the arrest of an individual in the Merseyside area and will continue to support colleagues in Spain where necessary and if required by them.' Operation Portaledge is the ongoing investigation into 'violent' incidents which have taken place across the Central Belt of Scotland in recent months. We previously reported that Chief Superintendent Pedro Agudo Novo, head of the Malaga provincial judicial police unit, had spoken out at a press conference in the city on Tuesday. The senior officer said the alleged attack had been carried out with a 'high degree of professionalism'. READ NEXT: 'Suspect' in shooting of Glasgow duo in Spain 'fled in 15 hours' Chief Superintendent Agudo Novo described the alleged suspect as an 'internal member of the rival Daniels gang' who had reportedly 'meticulously' planned the shootings. He told reporters Lyons Junior had been shot while he sat at a table outside the bar, but the gunman's weapon reportedly jammed, allowing Monaghan to attempt to escape inside the bar. However, he is said to have been pursued and shot. The alleged gunman is said to have fled the scene using a route which included a train tunnel, where there were few security cameras. Chief Superintendent Agudo Novo added that the alleged gunman fled to Portugal from Spain by land, before boarding a flight to Leeds. He is then reported to have changed addresses three times on his return to England before being tracked down in Liverpool under an international arrest warrant. Investigators said they believe he was preparing to flee the UK for a 'paradise island' where no extradition treaty was available, but they did not disclose the exact location. READ NEXT: Man arrested in connection with Monaghan and Lyons shooting Chief Supt Agudo Novo said: "The double murder was carried out by a professional killer and member of one of the victims' rival gangs. "In this case, we're not talking about an independent hired killer but an internal member of the rival Daniels gang who ends up assassinating two members of an enemy gang." Detectives in Spain said they were hopeful of making further arrests but believed the alleged gunman had 'acted alone'. Chief Inspector Juan Antonio Sillero, from the specialist Udyco Costa Del Sol police unit, which also led the operation to track down the alleged suspect, said he believed both Monaghan and Lyons Junior 'were the intended targets'. Spanish police have not yet formally named the suspect, a 44-year-old man, but did acknowledge he was 'English, not Scottish'. READ NEXT: Spanish tourists' on Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan shooting The Spanish authorities have requested his extradition after he was arrested by Merseyside Police in the Liverpool area on Friday. We previously reported that a spokesperson for Merseyside Police confirmed a man had been arrested in connection with the shooting. The 44-year-old, from Merseyside, appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 14 to start extradition proceedings to Spain. It is understood that the man was taken into custody under an international arrest warrant issued by the Spanish authorities. He has been remanded in custody to appear in court at a later date.
