Much loved Inverness restaurant to close as Covid-19 crisis takes its toll
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One of the longest established restaurants in Inverness has announced that it is shutting its doors, just over a year after its new owners stepped in to save it from threatened closure.
Castle Restaurant on Castle Castle Street, which first opened in 1957, will close later this month as a result of the impact of the coronavirus crisis and the restrictions imposed to combat the virus.
Announcing the imminent closure on social media, owner Richard Comfort wrote: "It is with deep regret that I have to write this but due to the continuing effects of Covid-19, we will sadly be closing our doors on Saturday November 21 after service.
"I would like to say a big thanks to both our customers and staff for all their support since we took it over."
Mr Comfort added that the restaurant will continue to trade over the next two weeks and bookings are welcome.
Mr Comfort and his wife Lorraine, who also own city centre café Comfort Foods, took over the Castle Restaurant in September 2019 from previous owners brother and sister Katie and Ewen MacKinnon, who had closed the restaurant and were believed to be considering converting it into a fish and chip shop.
Mr Comfort's Facebook announcement was greeted with disappointment by the Castle Restaurant's customers, including one who always made a point of visiting when they returned home to Inverness from Australia.
"This is very sad news, absolutely love this place when I visit Inverness," one wrote in response to the original post.
Another commented: "Used to come here as a wee lad with my granny. Such an amazing place. So sad to hear you guys are closing. Wish you guys all the best for the future."
