As Rangers fans, we’ve all been eagerly watching the development of Ibrox Stadium and its surroundings, excited for the new additions that promise to enhance our matchday experiences. One such addition was the much-anticipated G51 sports bar, set to open in early 2024. Housed in the former Rangers Store location, this new venue was designed to be a state-of-the-art hub for fans, offering everything from arcade games to self-pour beer stations. It was set to be a place where we could gather not just on match days, but throughout the week to soak up the atmosphere of our beloved club. However, it seems that the journey to bring G51 to life has hit some unexpected bumps in the road.
A Good Idea in Theory, but Problems Arise
The plan to convert the old Rangers Store into a modern sports bar seemed solid from the outset. With the opening of Edmiston House, retail operations moved seamlessly to a new, more spacious location, making way for the transformation of the former store into G51. The club’s vision was clear: create a destination that would enhance the fan experience, whether it’s the thrill of a match day or the camaraderie of watching other live sporting events. However, as with many ambitious projects, reality has not quite matched the blueprint.
Delays and Disappointments
Originally, the G51 sports bar was slated to open before the start of this season. Yet, as the season kicked off, it became evident that the project was running behind schedule. With the Copland Stand undergoing its own renovations and expansion, many of us assumed that the delay was due to the club prioritizing stadium improvements—a justifiable reason, given the importance of getting the fans back to Ibrox. However, what we didn’t expect was to see the future site of G51 being used as a makeshift storage and canteen area for the construction teams working on the stadium. It was a stark reminder that even the best-laid plans can sometimes go awry.
The Trademark Trouble
Just as it seemed things couldn’t get more complicated, news broke that the club had run into a legal issue with the name ‘G51’. Chosen because it represents the postcode of Ibrox, ‘G51’ seemed like the perfect moniker for a bar dedicated to celebrating Rangers and our home turf. Unfortunately, it appears that a company located just down the road from Ibrox has already trademarked the name. This means that before the sports bar has even opened its doors, the club may need to rebrand the entire venue to avoid a costly legal dispute.
OMADA SPORTS LTD Companies House Listing
OMADA SPORTS LTD Trademark Registration
While rebranding isn’t the end of the world—after all, it’s better to catch these issues before opening rather than after—this situation raises some serious questions.
A Call for Accountability
How did an organisation as large and prestigious as Rangers Football Club get caught out by such a simple trademark problem? It’s baffling, and frankly, it’s disappointing. This oversight points to a lack of attention to detail that should be addressed immediately. As fans, we want to see progress and success, not delays and setbacks. The people in charge need to get a grip on the situation at Ibrox and ensure that these kinds of issues don’t keep cropping up.
We deserve better than to see project after project stumble over avoidable obstacles. The focus should be on moving forward and making Ibrox the best it can be—not on fixing problems that shouldn’t have existed in the first place.
Looking Ahead
Despite these setbacks, we still have reason to be optimistic. When it finally opens, the sports bar—whatever its name may be—will undoubtedly be a fantastic addition to Ibrox. It will offer a space where we can gather, celebrate, and share in the highs and lows of being Rangers supporters. But as we look forward to that day, let’s hope the club learns from these mistakes and begins to steer things in the right direction. After all, Ibrox deserves nothing less than the very best.