Shock as Inverness Ironworks music venue hotel redevelopment plan ‘faces collapse’ with Hong Kong-owned developer Bricks Capital (UK) Ltd set for liquidation
Opponents of the Ironworks music venue’s closure have reacted with shock at the possible collapse of plans to redevelop it as a £30 million hotel.
In August 2022, Bricks Group controversially secured planning permission from Highland Council to replace the much-loved live music venue.
Ironworks closed after a final show in February 2023, but the site has lain empty ever since.
Bricks Group, owned by Hong-Kong based company Bricks Capital Limited, was ready to purchase the site from owners Upland Properties Limited, an Aviemore-based company controlled by well-known Inverness businessman David Cameron.
It has never been confirmed that the sale was completed.
Bricks Capital (UK) Ltd’s liquidators Insolvency Limited have been asked to clarify whether the stricken firm had actually taken ownership of the site from Upland Properties.
When contacted by us today, Mr Cameron refused to confirm whether his sale to Bricks had gone through.
He said: “I’ll tell you this, it is none of your bloody business.”
After it was put to him that the future of the site was of great significance to Inverness and its residents, he put the phone down.
Dismay and disbelief greeted suggestions that the future of the site and building had again been thrown into doubt.
Former Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart, who previously led a high-profile campaign in a bid to secure the future of the Ironworks, said: “Obviously, I feel the huge disappointment for the team and all the people, bands, staff and customers of the Ironworks.
"I am puzzled and confused about the legal developments.
"I still live in hope it will be reborn in a different venue in the Highland capital."
During his campaign, Mr Stewart met Scotland's Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and also held meetings with organisations including Highland Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Creative Scotland.
He added: "I was heartbroken when the Ironworks closed down.
"In my view, this was a first-class facility not just for Inverness but the Highlands as a whole. Inverness being the gateway to the North Coast 500 route, it was for locals and tourists as well."
Mark Allison, a past Monsterfest promoter and local musician, said: “The Inverness music scene was in mourning when, after three years of rumours and talk, the Ironworks closed its doors to be replaced by another hotel.
“That was three years ago, and now we hear this may have all fallen through.
“We are now off the map for bigger touring acts that used to come to the city and many fans have had to go back to travelling down the A9 to see bands that used to grace the Ironworks stage.
“Many would come to Inverness to see great music and use the existing hotels, so it always seemed nonsensical that you would close something that attracted people to the city and replace it with another hotel!
Scottish Labour’s Inverness Central councillor Michael Gregson said: “It is totally ridiculous that a place like that can be bought and yet not developed. Meantime it lies empty and is a blight on the city.
“It is a really excellent building and I went to some great events there.
“It would be really nice to have that building serving the community instead of serving inert, inactive, lazy capitalism.”
