Café and bistro plan to breathe new life into prominent Merkinch building goes before Highland Council
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New life could be breathed into a dilapidated Merkinch building if a developer’s café and bistro plan is approved.
Dr Waheed Khan is seeking permission to turn former shop premises at 51-55 Grant Street into a food and drinks outlet.
The C-listed red sandstone building, built prior to 1850, stands on the corner of Lochalsh Road and previously housed Nicol’s store and a dog grooming business.
That part of Merkinch has become something of an eyesore in recent times with an adjacent building previously occupied by William Hill bookmakers still decked in scaffolding after being struck by a car two years ago.
Dr Khan’s plan for a change of use would involve installation of a flue to enable limited cooking and baking to take place in the building’s basement.
A design statement outlined the extent of investment needed to revitalise the premises.
There would be re-slating and roof flashing repairs, improved insulation, new plumbing and electrics, repairs of existing windows and the reopening of boarded windows.
On the first and second floors, said to be in a very poor state of repair, a second staircase would be removed, with new toilets and showers installed. Currently, the two floors share only one WC.
As well as extensive interior remedial works, there would be repointing of the external walls, new gutters and downpipes, double glazing and a tidying of a garden area to the rear.
Neighbour consultation will run until March 26, with a determination deadline set for May 1.
The application will be considered under Highland Council planners’ delegated powers.
