Music fans face loss of another venue in Inverness city centre after plans emerge to convert part of Hootananny

Hootananny owner Kit Fraser has lodged an application to turn two floors of the building – including the Mad Hatters venue – into a backpackers’ hostel.

He has cited a wave of new pubs and increased business rates as reasons for the move.

The news comes just a few months after it was revealed the Ironworks in Academy Street could come down after plans were lodged to develop a 162-bedroom hotel on the site.

See today's Inverness Courier for more details and reaction.

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