Inverness Kart Raceway, which was damaged in a major blaze at Fairways Business Park earlier this year, is aiming to reopen to its Highland fans within weeks

A popular attraction forced to temporarily shutter its doors after a major blaze destroyed neighbouring businesses will reopen within weeks, it has revealed.

The Inverness Kart Raceway has been closed to the public since a huge blaze, which was started deliberately, destroyed multiple businesses in the Fairways Business Park in the early hours of March 9.

Despite the devastation caused by the blaze to several neighbouring businesses, which were left completely destroyed, the raceway was miraculously spared significant damage thanks to the tireless work of firefighters who somehow prevented the flames spreading to it despite its position just feet away.

However, smoke-related damage from the fire did force the raceway to remain closed in the aftermath of the blaze.

Those repairs appear to be progressing well, and its temporary closure is nearing an end after it not only began recruiting for new staff for the coming season, but just days later confirmed it could be open within a month.

Speaking on Facebook earlier this week, the raceway confirmed: “We are hoping to be reopen within the next month. We will look to post our reopening date on our social media pages as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding at this time.”

And, when approached for confirmation on Wednesday morning, the team at the raceway were pleased to reiterate that time frame, adding that interest from the public in the resumption of racing has been high.

They were not able to commit to a specific date, as preparations are still being made, but visitors to their website on Wednesday were able to make bookings for dates in early June, suggesting it will likely be some time around then.

A spokesperson said: “So we are just utilising the time, we’re doing lots of repairs and improvements to make the experience better for when we reopen. So it’s quite exciting, the work that we’re doing right now.”

They added that the improvements were “the overall experience at the track, so painting, decorating, things like that,” and added: “We’re doing the doors as well because obviously we had our front entrance damaged and we had smoke damage in our reception area, so we’re just decorating and making it nice and fresh and sorting that as well.

“We’ve had lots of interest already.”

News that the raceway is only weeks away from reopening comes just days after a man appeared in court on charges connected to the blaze.

Jack Ventham (34), from Livingston, made no plea or declaration when he appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday,

He is accused of two offences.

The first, is that he reset a vehicle at various locations in Inverness as well as at Perth BP station and McDonald's in Livingston, the vehicle having been dishonestly appropriated by unknown means.

He was further charged that he, while acting in the company of another, wilfully set fire to the Scottish Premium Seafood shop at Unit 1 in Fairway Business Park by reversing a vehicle into the building and then igniting it.

Ventham is due to reappear in court within the coming days, to be fully committed.

Bail may be considered at that stage, if applied for.