Inverness pub set to reopen in new year
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The Rose Street Foundry pub in Inverness is set to reopen in the new year.
Although the Academy Street premises – which closed in September 2022 – are still being listed as 'under offer' by Inverness-based Graham and Sibbald, it has been reported that the site has new tenants.
It is understood the reopening comes after six months of negotiations with business partners former doorman Stuart Forrester and Anytime Fitness Inverness boss Donald Mackay. Their business is called Rio Sol – but it is unclear if they will change the name of the bar.
A spokesman for Rose Street Foundry stated: "We are very proud and excited to be reopening and as the new custodians of the building which holds a place in many hearts in Inverness alongside having an incredible history we shall be honouring the heritage and protecting the character of the place. The mosaics are an integral part of the history and they are a feature point which we shall not be changing. Thanks to everyone for their kind words and support on the news of us reopening. Here's to a fantastic future and creating a wonderful welcoming place full of heritage, fun, great food and entertainment."
Cairngorm Taverns owned the freehold of Rose Street Foundry, and it is being marketed for an annual rent of £75,000.
The building covers a total area of 8667 sq ft, over two floors. At the time of the closure the owners said the move was due to escalating staff and energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis.
Built during 1893-95, Cairngorm Taverns purchased the historic yet dilapidated B-listed building in 2013 and restored it with the support of Inverness Heritage Trust plus its own investment totalling £2.2 million.
Pandemic-related lockdown restrictions forced it to close less than a week after it opened in March 2020.
It reopened in August 2020 and offered food and live music – aspects which the new tenants have indicated they want to do as well.
The Inverness Townscape Heritage Project – which includes funding from the Highland Council, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland (HES) via the Inverness City Heritage Trust (ICHT) – provided a grant of more than £1 million towards the total cost of renovations, which included the restoration and reinstatement of decorative mosaics to the outside of the building.
