Pub plan back on the table for vacated bakery in Inverness city centre
A fresh bid to convert a vacant Inverness bakery shop into a bar will be considered by Highland Council planners.
The trend-setting international pub chain BrewDog previously abandoned efforts to open at the former Ashers bakery and café site in Church Street after twice being knocked back by council officials.
Kirkcaldy-based Alan Baxter, of Davidson Baxter Partnership Ltd, now wants to turn the empty premises into a bar with dining capacity and a small performance stage.
According to drawings put before the council, the new hostelry would be known as The Highlander.
Aberdeenshire-based BrewDog called time on its Highland capital venture in November 2019.
It applied for permission for a change of use and to make alterations to the façade, but was turned down on both occasions.
Planners rejected a change of use application for BrewDog because there was not enough information about a pizza oven odour extraction system that was intended to be used.
They also did not consider that limited alterations proposed for the premises’ frontage represented an improvement or enhancement to the Inverness Old Town Conservation Area.
Bakery boss Ali Asher, who owns the premises, said: “We have an established tenant lined up, subject to the same permissions as before.”
Ashers bakery is now situated in nearby Union Street, as well as Inverness bus station.
BrewDog calls time on Inverness bar plan
