Public react with sadness as the Inverness Filling Station is set to close its doors next month

Hundreds of people have said that The Filling Station will be sorely missed after the restaurant confirmed that they will be closing in a few weeks.

It's fair to say that Inverness's American diner in Academy Street will be missed as hundreds of people nostalgically reminisce on good times spent at the bar and restaurant.

Shel Ley said: "I have so many fond memories of this place. It was more like a community than a restaurant."

Many people have commented in disbelief that another one of Inverness's long-standing restaurants is closing, in addition to many other high street shops, such as Clarks, announcing their discontinuation.

Whether its tourists, or locals, its clear that after around 17 years of being part of the Inverness business community, The Filling Station have made an impact on the city.

Whilst the community remember lots of happy times at the diner, others have expressed their concerns for the city's high street as it 'falls apart' due to the sheer amount of local businesses shutting down in recent weeks; especially in Academy Street.

Jamie McCall said: "All the pubs and restaurants in town seem to have shut in one week!"

Morag Turner added: "Everything in flaming Ness is closing down! I'll have to find a new lunch spot now!"

In recent months, the city centre has suffered the loss of various shops including UK-wide clothing store Joules in Eastgate and Ness Refill in Queensgate plus clothing store M&Co in Academy Street although those premises have been taken over by The Original Factory Shop.

The Filling Station has been embellished into the heart of Inverness in many ways; both by acting as an active social hub, in addition to being a part the Eastgate Shopping Centre.

Now the rush to book a table at the American diner has begun as many prepare to say goodbye to a much loved piece of Inverness.

It remains unclear as to why the restaurant is closing and has proven to have come as a shock to many people.

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