Matteo’s Secures £60,000 Investment from British Business Bank to Fuel City Centre Venture and Evening Service Ambitions
Glasgow’s dynamic Merchant City has welcomed a significant new addition to its thriving culinary scene this week with the opening of Matteo’s, an American sports bar-inspired sandwich shop and deli. Located at 19 High Street, the establishment marks the first solo venture for chef Matt Scott, an industry veteran with 15 years of experience in Glasgow’s restaurant landscape and a notable background as co-founder of London’s acclaimed Dom’s Subs.
Matteo’s aims to cultivate a strong community presence, offering “big-flavour subs” alongside speciality coffee in an inviting atmosphere designed to foster customer loyalty. Scott envisions a venue where patrons feel “welcome and at home,” reflecting Glasgow’s renowned warmth and friendliness.
To facilitate the launch and cover initial fit-out and supplier costs, Scott successfully secured a £60,000 loan from the British Business Bank’s Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), delivered through DSL Business Finance.
Scott’s impressive culinary journey includes tenures at popular Glasgow establishments such as Sylvan, a highly-regarded vegetarian and vegan restaurant celebrated for its seasonal Scottish cuisine, and Caesars Pizza, a local pizza venture whose owner has since expanded with a new concept. In 2020, he co-founded Dom’s Subs in London, a “cult” sandwich shop that quickly gained a strong following for its substantial subs and successful collaborations with prominent brands including Dishoom, Carhartt, and Yard Sale. Time Out famously recognised it as “London’s king of sandwiches”. This experience underscores Scott’s proven ability to create popular, high-quality food concepts in competitive urban markets. It is worth noting that while Dom’s Subs gained significant acclaim, its City of London outpost recently ceased operations in March 2026 due to rising operational costs, with the original Hackney Road location also no longer operating as Dom’s Subs, though the brand continues through a kiosk and other related ventures.
Currently, Matteo’s operates seven days a week, from 8 am to 4 pm, serving breakfast and lunch. Scott has ambitious plans for the future, actively pursuing an alcohol licence to extend service into the evenings with a menu of bar snacks, including wings and ribs. The premises also boast a spacious basement area, earmarked for future expansion into office catering and group bookings as the business grows.
Commenting on his new venture, Matt Scott stated: “Opening Matteo’s is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and I’m excited to finally bring the idea to life. I wanted to create a place where people feel welcome and at home, whether they’re popping in for a quick sandwich or staying for a plate of wings. Getting the food right is absolutely the priority for me, but it’s also important that we create a warm, relaxed atmosphere. I’m really looking forward to getting started and serving the great people of Glasgow.”
The £150 million Investment Fund for Scotland (IFS), launched by the British Business Bank in October 2023, is a crucial initiative designed to provide targeted finance for the growth and development of small and medium-sized businesses across Scotland. As part of the broader £1.6 billion Nations and Regions Investment Funds, the IFS aims to stimulate sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation and creating local opportunities. Since its inception, the fund has deployed over £35 million to Scottish SMEs. The debt fund component of the IFS recently received an additional £12 million commitment, increasing its total to £52 million, underscoring the ongoing support for Scottish enterprises.
Sarah Newbould, Senior Investment Manager for Nations and Regions Funds at the British Business Bank, highlighted the fund’s impact, stating: “This deal highlights the important role the Investment Fund for Scotland plays in supporting ambitious entrepreneurs to access the finance they need to start and grow their businesses. Through providing targeted funding, the fund aims to help unlock potential within local communities, enabling businesses to grow, create jobs and contribute to regional economic development. We’re pleased to see IFS continuing to support a diverse range of businesses across Scotland as they look to take their next steps.”
Lesley O’Neill, Loan Officer at DSL Business Finance, expressed confidence in the new venture: “Matteo’s is a great example of Matt’s determination to provide a new style and choice for breakfast and lunch. His personal investment, vision and desire to add his own flair based on his knowledge and experience will no doubt ensure the success of this business venture. DSL is proud to support Matteo’s as it feeds the good people of Glasgow from its newly refurbished premises.”
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Glasgow’s Merchant City district continues to be a vibrant hub for hospitality, experiencing a notable surge in quick-service restaurants and independent operators. Recent market analysis by Savills indicates that 2025 saw a record 38 new food and beverage openings in Glasgow city centre, representing the highest volume since 2018. While facing rising operational costs, several national chains have reported turnover figures exceeding 40% of their pre-Covid levels in prime Glasgow locations, demonstrating a resilient and profitable market for new ventures.
Obtaining an alcohol licence in Scotland for new premises is a detailed regulatory process, requiring a comprehensive application to the local licensing board. This typically includes an operating plan, detailed layout plans, and certificates for planning, building standards, and food hygiene. A Designated Premises Manager (DPM) holding a personal licence, obtained after completing the Scottish Certificate for Personal Licence Holders (SCPLH) course and a Disclosure Scotland (DBS) check, is also a prerequisite. The processing of new applications can take several months, with Licensing Board Hearings generally scheduled four to six months after submission, underscoring the strategic planning involved in Matteo’s projected evening expansion.
