REACTION: After SoBar's closure, readers voice fears that high property rents in Inverness city centre could put pubs and restaurants permanently out of business
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Fears have been raised that some city centre bars and restaurants are being hammered into oblivion by high rents after the sudden closure of an Inverness sports bar.
We broke the story yesterday that SoBar in Castle Street had closed after landlords boarded up the entrance in an apparent dispute over rent payments.
There was a huge reaction on social media, with many claiming that high rents were putting businesses at risk of going under.
Notices pinned to the wooden boards claimed SoBar’s operators had failed to pay their rent.
HOW WE BROKE THE STORY: Popular SoBar snooker, pool and live sports bar venue in Inverness city centre closed
UPDATE: SoBar sports bar and grill closed and boarded up after failure to pay rent
Landlord for the building at 55-67 Castle Street is the local holiday accommodation specialist The Waverley Inn Group.
Waverley’s area manager Robert Norris confirmed SoBar was shut “for the foreseeable future”, but declined to comment further.
Rising rent costs were a recurring theme in social media comments.
Laura Williamson wrote: “The rates/rent in the town are ludicrous... more shops and bars will be closing down at this rate.”
Rhona Munro Attwood described SoBar’s difficulties as “sad”, adding: “By the time businesses pay for their utilities, staff wages and stock, it’s no wonder there’s nothing left in the pot to pay rent.”
Zander Legge said: “It's a disgrace. It's the same everywhere, businesses are closing down due to high costs.”
Elly Russell also voiced concern that rents were becoming simply too expensive, particularly for start-ups, adding: “Food businesses have a disadvantage with VAT. You have to charge it, but none of the supplies (food items) have VAT so they lose 20% right away, not to mention the extreme rip off of gas and electricity which is twice the cost for businesses who have no protection with a cap.
“Running a food business right now is not easy.”
Many more were sympathetic, however some seemed to feel SoBar’s demise would be no big deal.
Alan Roberts said: “No great loss. Far too many establishments making an absolute killing peddling the drug of choice to twenty-somethings in Inverness.
“Sorry for the staff who’ve lost their job, though.”
