East Kilbride’s hospitality scene is gearing up for an exciting arrival this festive season, as new venue Ruby’s confirms it will officially open its doors on Wednesday 17 December 2025.
With refurbishment work now in its final stages, the £700,000 plus transformation of the former Coppertrees restaurant into the town’s newest independent hospitality destination is almost complete.
The St James Way site has been fully reimagined to create a stylish, welcoming space and a vibrant neighbourhood hub for dining, drinks and relaxed socialising.
Led by operators Struan Barclay and former Crystal Palace and Scotland internationalist James McArthur, the vision for Ruby’s has centred on delivering a venue that East Kilbride can be proud of, and one that will draw visitors from across the wider region.
Ruby’s will offer over 100 covers inside, with an adjoining bar suited to everything from a quiet pint to catching live sport on the big screens, as well as a heated outdoor garden that is both family and dog friendly.
The pair have combined their experience and passion for hospitality to create a vibrant, modern venue that feels equally suited to breakfast with the family, lunch with colleagues, evening cocktails or a celebratory night out.
Ahead of opening, Ruby’s has also revealed its new menus, featuring locally sourced ingredients and bold, flavour-packed dishes.
The breakfast menu features a dedicated eggs section, with a standout dish of smashed avocado, spicy ’nduja and crème fraiche served with your choice of eggs.
Highlights across the main menu include for starters the Rosemary Panko-Crusted Mozzarella Stick with hot honey–lemon dressing and tomato sugo. For mains the Tuscan Slow Cooked Beef in a rich Chianti ragu with seasonal vegetables is set to be a real winter warmer and a delicious Warm Cookie Dough Skillet is tipped to become a crowd favourite.
These dishes sit alongside a curated drinks list featuring fresh lager, expertly crafted cocktails, a smooth Guinness pour and a strong selection of non-alcoholic options, as well as a quality coffee offering with a range of speciality choices.
To support the local community, Ruby’s will also introduce a takeaway breakfast and weekday lunch menu from opening day. Breakfast options include filled breakfast rolls and a variety of filled bagels, while the lunchtime offer features fresh salads, pasta and Puccia pockets – ideal for nearby workers, shoppers and residents looking for something quick and flavourful.
All existing staff roles have been retained throughout the refurbishment, with additional positions created as the venue prepares to welcome its first guests.
Struan said: “James and I are thrilled to confirm our opening date. The response from the East Kilbride community has been fantastic, and we can’t wait to open the doors in December and unveil the new venue. Ruby’s is designed to feel warm and inviting from morning to night, and we’re incredibly proud of what the team has created.”
James added: “Our goal has always been to create a space people genuinely enjoy spending time in, whether that’s for a casual coffee, a midweek meal or a weekend night out. With the opening date now set, we’re looking forward to welcoming everyone and showcasing exactly what Ruby’s is all about.”
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