Inverness’s Eastgate Shopping Centre vows that new café ‘is just the beginning’; ahead of major revamp of Highland capital mall’s food court by CRU Hospitality
Inverness city centre’s newest café has welcomed its first customers after officially opening inside the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Scran Café, which is located on the ground floor next to the mall’s food court, opened on Monday morning.
And Eastgate’s centre manager has hailed it as the first step in a “really exciting new chapter” for the mall and its food court after teaming up with CRU Hospitality.
CRU will be taking over the running of the food court after entering into a partnership with the mall, and it is understood it will be rebranding it to the similarly named Scran Kitchen as it seeks to reinvent itself for customers.
Scran Café is seen as the first step in this process, and will enable CRU to trial ideas as it works on its plans for the wider food court as a whole.
Welcoming the opening of Scran Café as the first step in the process, centre manager Chris Kershaw said: “Scran is the start of a really exciting chapter with CRU.
“We’re thrilled to be working with a partner who shares our vision for bringing high-quality, community-focused food experiences to Eastgate.
The early reaction has been fantastic, and there’s much more to come.”
Scran Cafe’s features a “contemporary menu” featuring deli-style bagels, fresh salads, poke bowls, smoothies, locally roasted coffee, iced frappés, and a tempting selection of locally baked cakes, pastries, and sweet bagels.
While Scran brings a “welcome refresh to the current café space”, CRU Hospitality is keen to emphasise that this is just a small taste of what’s in store.
Plans are already underway for a major refurbishment and complete redesign of the main food court - under the name Scran Kitchen - and is set to deliver what CRU described as “a much larger and more dynamic dining experience”. This upcoming transformation will introduce a wider variety of food concepts, contemporary interiors, and a revitalised communal space – all designed to elevate the overall experience for Eastgate visitors.
“In many ways, Scran is just the beginning,” said Scott Murray, founder and CEO of CRU. “It allows us to trial ideas, connect with Eastgate customers, and bring something fresh to the centre right now.’’
Scran Café is now open seven days a week from 8.30am to 4.30pm and invites everyone to come along, try something new, and enjoy a relaxed, friendly space with great food and great coffee.
