'People's' bar prepares for pulling power
HOPES are high that Inverness’s first crowd-funded bar will be open by Easter.
Work is well under way at MacGregor’s Bar at the bottom of Academy Street, and this week the man behind the venture, Bruce MacGregor, revealed: “It will have to be ready by then, because we have a booking the week after Easter for the Inverness Whisky and Gin Festival which runs from 18 to 22 April.”
Mr MacGregor, a businessman, broadcaster, traditional musician, and a leading light with Blazin’ Fiddles, plans a Scottish theme for the bar – but with a difference – and promises “exciting food, exciting drink and exciting art work.”
Part of the bar premises will be in the former Blythswood book shop with a smaller “speak-easy” whisky and gin bar in what was a hairdressing salon.
Mr MacGregor was a stalwart of Highland Rugby club in his day, and last month he called on some of his former team mates to help gut out the premises.
Five players turned out – Jonny Milton, Stuart Gillespie, Craig Irvine, Stephen Murray and Sean Blair – and Mr MacGregor said: “It was fantastic how they came out so willingly to help and great to see things start to take shape.
“It was all about clearing away a lot of the rubbish that’s accumulated so the tradesmen could get going.
“The guys were happy to get stuck in, though they did say afterwards that it was harder than training!”
When Mr MacGregor required additional funding in 2015 for the venture he reached out to local people for help, and after an online crowd-funding appeal and a specially arranged party in a pop-up bar inside the premises, he managed to raise £150,000.
Investors will become members of the bar, have their own loyalty cards for discounts, and be invited to the annual general meeting which will be a huge party once a year.
Meanwhile, in other news from the Inverness bar trade, MacCallum’s Bar in Union Street is taking over Gunsmiths, which is only a few yards along the street.
And the MacPherson’s former outdoor clothing and climbing shop beside the Market Bar that received planning permission to be changed to a whisky bar, is now being offered for lease.
