28 replies to this topic

[Pat]

Very sad and shocking news received this afternoon from Martin Gray, who phoned to tell me that Allan Mawn had died in the early hours of the morning after a massive heart attack.

Martin, Glasgow photographer, and close friend of Allan's was absolutely devastated, as will be everyone who knew and worked with this very affable and interesting man.

I've seen and spoken to Allan quite a lot recently about yet another venture in Partick, in his new cafe/bar, Criterion, of which he was rightfully so proud.

I included him among our local characters not so long ago and enjoyed chatting with him over lunch in his lovely restaurant and hearing all about his life and his restaurants; Pinxto, Velvet Elivs and Criterion.

Allan has many, many friends in the West End, including lots of people in the media, such as Anna Burnside, David Belcher, Ken Smith, Roy Beers also Felonius Monk from Sunny Govan Radio. You can expect to hear heartfelt praise of Allan and some wonderful obituaries.

He was a real one off.

[harper]

Terribly sad news. I hadn't seen Allan for many years but felt heartfelt joy hearing of his many successes. By all accounts his business acumen was equally matched by his kindness, interest and consideration for others. A very nice man and someone who will be sorely missed.

[Hingmie]

That is so sad! I had just recently read the piece you had written about him too, Pat.

[Pat]

Allan was an absolute gentleman, great fun and very smart. He had been in touch a couple of times last week as Jim had arranged to play a gig at Criterion and I last saw him when we went down to see him on Hogmanay. It's very hard to take in as he was just so full of life.

[maggs]

Shocked to hear that Pat, he looked so fit and healthy

[Pat]

Shocked to hear that Pat, he looked so fit and healthy

It's terrible, Maggs. You will appreciate what he had achieved in your neck of the woods. He had created a fair buzz around his establishments in Partick.

[David F]

This is indeed shocking news and very sad.

I met Allan for the first time at the end of 2009 when he approached my Practice to obtain Council Building Consents for the Criterion Cafe.
I could tell very early on that this man was a great character with bags of enthusiasm for what he did. As a client he was fantastic in every way and I looked forward to the opportunity of working with him again on further ventures.

I realise that I'd only known him for a relatively short time, but I'm glad I did.

My condolences go out to his family and friends.

Cheers Allan!

[DJ Wispy]

David Belcher (aka DJ Volume Control at Velvet Elvis) posted this tribute via Facebook:"Allan's the only boss who's ever encouraged me to do what I like doing - and then do more of it, only louder. Among many other life-enhancing qualities, he had a boyish enthusiasm for collecting odd, ancient music-related artefacts. At our ...last meeting, for instance, Allan brandished an old microphone and a back-issue of a long-defunct magazine that he'd just found in a junk shop. He didn't care whether the mike was fully functioning; it was the groovily-authentic look of the thing that counted. I reckon he collected people in the same way: vaguely ornamental, possibly salvageable, best viewed in the light of music. I'm very proud Allan saw these qualities in such odd, ancient music-related artefacts as Felonious Monk and me."

[Pat]

David Belcher (aka DJ Volume Control at Velvet Elvis) posted this tribute via Facebook:"Allan's the only boss who's ever encouraged me to do what I like doing - and then do more of it, only louder. Among many other life-enhancing qualities, he had a boyish enthusiasm for collecting odd, ancient music-related artefacts. At our ...last meeting, for instance, Allan brandished an old microphone and a back-issue of a long-defunct magazine that he'd just found in a junk shop. He didn't care whether the mike was fully functioning; it was the groovily-authentic look of the thing that counted. I reckon he collected people in the same way: vaguely ornamental, possibly salvageable, best viewed in the light of music. I'm very proud Allan saw these qualities in such odd, ancient music-related artefacts as Felonious Monk and me."

Paints a very familiar image of Allan. David and Felonious certainly ticked the boxes for him.

Thanks for posting DJ Wispy and David F.

My phone didn't stop all morning with people phoning regarding this sad news. I also heard that the new plans for entertainment at Criterion, which have just got off the ground, will still go ahead. I don't think Allan would have liked everything to be cancelled. Not his style.

[Dougie]

Devastated when I heard the news, we were only speaking on the phone on Sunday evening, had arranged to meet in North Berwick in the next few weeks time.....! I’ve known Allan for 38 years, we met as 16 year olds working as bell lads at the Marine Hotel in North Berwick. It was a long term friendship that would never be lost......we always kept in touch, always got red carpet treatment when I visited Glasgow either myself or with friends. His restaurant businesses were flourishing with his own style of quirky food & drink. It was a winner.....

So many happy memories, the houses, the parties, painting parties, the music, trips round Scotland, Wide mouth frog in Oban, Gibson street, Uri Geller fork bending, Gary Glitter taxi!, school teaching, that chalk line round his desk, Marvel music, Cado belle, Maggie Reilly, Jim Wilkie, his favourite place Barcelona, 50th birthday, planning Pinxto, his love of Byres road, Aragon bar, The Chip...... just a few!

He loved my parents and even though they are almost house bound they are going to make effort to get to the funeral.
Best man at my wedding, best friend.......there will never be another guy like you Allan

[harper]

Devastated when I heard the news, we were only speaking on the phone on Sunday evening, had arranged to meet in North Berwick in the next few weeks time.....! I've known Allan for 38 years, we met as 16 year olds working as bell lads at the Marine Hotel in North Berwick. It was a long term friendship that would never be lost......we always kept in touch, always got red carpet treatment when I visited Glasgow either myself or with friends. His restaurant businesses were flourishing with his own style of quirky food & drink. It was a winner.....

So many happy memories, the houses, the parties, painting parties, the music, trips round Scotland, Wide mouth frog in Oban, Gibson street, Uri Geller fork bending, Gary Glitter taxi!, school teaching, that chalk line round his desk, Marvel music, Cado belle, Maggie Reilly, Jim Wilkie, his favourite place Barcelona, 50th birthday, planning Pinxto, his love of Byres road, Aragon bar, The Chip...... just a few!

He loved my parents and even though they are almost house bound they are going to make effort to get to the funeral.
Best man at my wedding, best friend.......there will never be another guy like you Allan

Thank you for sharing memories of a such a dear and close friendship, Dougie. I am so sorry for your loss. Quite a few recognisable names and landmarks in your post. The chalk line round the desk did make me smile. Take care of yourself. All the best. Harper.

[iainc]

just thought i would post my thoughts on the sad passing of a wholly decent guy.i worked on alans 3 recent projects velvet elvis the refit of pintxo and criterion.i have to say ive seldom worked for a nicer guy than alan.my thoughts are with his family and all the staff

[Pat]

just thought i would post my thoughts on the sad passing of a wholly decent guy.i worked on alans 3 recent projects velvet elvis the refit of pintxo and criterion.i have to say ive seldom worked for a nicer guy than alan.my thoughts are with his family and all the staff

Thanks for posting iainc. Three fantastic projects and sounds as though you had a very enjoyable experience working with Allan.

[RonnieA]

I hadn't met Allan for years but one night back in the eighties I was working in Oban.
It was late and when the reporter and I made it back to our hotel it was too late
for any food.
We had done a full day's stake out and had no opportunity to feed ourselves.
Back into the car and down to one of Oban's chippy's.
Locked the car and headed to the queue. A Jag pulled up alongside and peeped the horn.
"What is a man on the expenses you are on going in there for"
It was Allan. Long time no see's exchanged, it was "Follow me"
We did and twenty minutes later he was turning the key of the Wide Mouth Bullfrog opening a bottle of wine
and turning on the cooking apparatus in the kitchen.
I swear it was one of the most memorable meals ever. All fresh seafood, his skill in the kitchen painstakingly
prepared us a supper supreme. It must have been three in the morning when we left there. Not a penny was asked for, our
protestations dismissed.
Byres Road, the Union, Dumbarton Road, all will know he had been there.
I am truly saddened by his untimely passing .

[Pat]

I hadn't met Allan for years but one night back in the eighties I was working in Oban.
It was late and when the reporter and I made it back to our hotel it was too late
for any food.
We had done a full day's stake out and had no opportunity to feed ourselves.
Back into the car and down to one of Oban's chippy's.
Locked the car and headed to the queue. A Jag pulled up alongside and peeped the horn.
"What is a man on the expenses you are on going in there for"
It was Allan. Long time no see's exchanged, it was "Follow me"
We did and twenty minutes later he was turning the key of the Wide Mouth Bullfrog opening a bottle of wine
and turning on the cooking apparatus in the kitchen.
I swear it was one of the most memorable meals ever. All fresh seafood, his skill in the kitchen painstakingly
prepared us a supper supreme. It must have been three in the morning when we left there. Not a penny was asked for, our
protestations dismissed.
Byres Road, the Union, Dumbarton Road, all will know he had been there.
I am truly saddened by his untimely passing .

Thanks for posting, RonnieA. That's a lovely memory of a very generous man. Happy times.

[Dexter St. Clair]

Thanks Pat for hosting this wee space. I know people are googling and this page pops up in the search.

According to Felonious the funeral will probably be in the first week in February. Some people who knew Allan are popping into Velvet Elvis for a drink and a reminisce, All welcome. It will definitely involve laughter.

[Pat]

Thanks Pat for hosting this wee space. I know people are googling and this page pops up in the search.

According to Felonious the funeral will probably be in the first week in February. Some people who knew Allan are popping into Velvet Elvis for a drink and a reminisce, All welcome. It will definitely involve laughter.

Thanks Dex, I am more than happy to do this small thing for someone who was so generous in his own life. I see the local press picked up on some of the comments for their reports. The level of interest is hardly surprising, such was Allan's standing in the community.

Please keep us posted on the funeral arrangements.

[Pat]

Lovely obituary in The Herald today:

Allan Mawn; Restaurateur, music promoter and lecturer;
0 comments

Published on 21 Jan 2011

Allan Mawn, who has died suddenly aged 54, modestly put the success of his eclectic career down to being fortunate enough to “stagger through” what he loved doing.

But the fact that he had a passion for music, food and entertaining provided the alchemy that transformed him from teacher to music promoter and one of Glasgow’s best known restaurateurs.

Generous, hospitable and gregarious, his dinner parties were legendary, the six or seven-course meals stretching long into the early hours as he digressed between dishes, insisting on playing his guests a succession of old records from Alex Harvey to Lonnie Donegan. One memorable Hogmanay, diners got their main course the next year.

His extraordinary working life was also notable for the achievement of simultaneously being the commercial manager of Rangers and Celtic football teams, no mean feat for a Catholic and something that has never been matched.

The son of a shipyard joiner, he was brought up in Hardgate, Clydebank, and attended St Patrick’s Secondary where he played the saxophone badly but organised jazz and poetry events.

He was a schoolboy fan of the theatre and at 16 started teacher training at Notre Dame College of Education where, as part of the entertainments team, he began making contacts in the music business. During a fairly brief teaching career, which included a post at Blessed John Ogilvy School, he also ran a promotion business, becoming an agent in the late 1970s, managing acts and publishing music.

Read the full article

[Dexter St. Clair]

This would have amused him no end.

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The Herald online

[maggs]

A very fitting tribute