Inverness restaurant owners miss out on bid for new base
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Owners of a popular lochside business have vowed to continue searching for a new base in the area after their offer for a property was rejected.
Oakwood Restaurant at Dochgarroch, run by Gaby Monkhouse and Gus Glue, had hoped to move into the “perfect location”, only steps from their current premises, but its offer to owner Scottish Canals was rejected.
The couple had waited for a number of months to hear about the property known as The Smiddy and now the lease on their premises has come to an end.
They intended moving the restaurant on board a new luxury cruise boat called The Highland Lassie, but need a land base for their operation.
In a letter to the couple, Scottish Canals said another business had been successful in securing The Smiddy.
Mrs Monkhouse said: “We will just have to start looking for a land base for our registered office, but of course nothing is happening at the moment. We are committed to maintaining a presence in the area.
“In the meantime we are staying positive. We have been the only mainland restaurant selling meat from Dounby Butcher from Orkney. The owners would normally be at the farmers’ market in Inverness once a month.
“I got to thinking, if I miss her, her customers in Inverness market must miss her, and more importantly must be missing her prized beef, so why don’t we at the Oakwood supply her customers at the same prices, in much the same way as other businesses are doing.
“At the moment we are only offering braised beef, sirloin steak and silverside of beef and we can also supply rolled and boned local venison.
“Following on from this we would love to supply luxury items such as langoustine, crab, hot smoked salmon and scallops.”
For more, email oakwood01@btconnect.com
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