End in sight for Eastgate hostel saga in Inverness?
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AN end may finally be in sight in the long-running saga of Inverness city centre’s most prominent eyesore.
It has emerged talks are currently taking place between the owners of the former Eastgate Hostel and potential buyers of the boarded-up building which was gutted by fire seven years ago.
The eyesore in the city’s main shopping street has been a constant source of frustration for fed-up local businesses and residents.
Following a campaign led by the Inverness Courier, work to remove scaffolding was finally completed last summer, but since then there has been no further progress on the next phase to develop flats on the first and second floors and a shop on the ground floor.
Imtaiz Ali – who owns the building with Mr Cheng – confirmed talks about the future of the building are currently taking place, but would not give further details.
“Things are happening in the background and we are in negotiations with a few different organisations about developing the property and getting the site back into use,” he said.
“I can’t comment any further because negotiations are still going on.”
News of the talks has raised hopes among local businesses and residents who have previously voiced concerns that the lack of progress could drag on for years.
Chiropodist Jim Crawford, whose business is close by, has previously called for the building to be acquired under a compulsory purchase order for the Inverness Common Good Fund, maintaining the outlay could be recouped in five to 10 years from rental income.
But he hoped the negotiations with a potential buyer might herald an end to the saga.
“I think two flats and a shop would be ideal,” he said. “I hope it would not be a house of multiple occupation.”
He acknowledged that the work could take several months and called for consideration to be given to nearby restaurants which he said had suffered as scaffolding and hoarding boards had partially obscured them from the High Street.
“If barriers are going to be put up again I would like to see them do the work before the summer, or wait until afterwards and do it over winter,” he said.
Fiona MacBeath, chair-
woman of Crown and City Centre Community Council, also hoped the talks would lead to a conclusion.
“We would be optimistic this would resolve the situation and bring some life back to Eastgate,” she said.
There was a more cautious response from Inverness Central councillor Bet McAllister who feared the renovation costs could deter potential buyers or developers.
“Everyone would be delighted to see this completely finished,” she said. “Unfortunately, this is going to cost a significant amount to anyone who takes this on.
“Anyone who buys it would need to raise significant funds to do something with it.
“I am worried it is still going to drag on.”
