‘Revolution’ to be reimagined as Inverness bar and live music entrepreneur plans city centre venue capable of partially filling gap left by Ironworks closure
An Inverness pub and live music entrepreneur is planning to launch a new venue aimed at bridging some of the gap left by Ironworks’ demise.
Gavin Stevenson, owner of the city’s Gellions and Highlander bars, has acquired the vacated site of the former Revolution Bar on Church Street.
The 550-capacity development, creating a predicted 25 jobs, is still at developmental stage as a concept, with no brand name as yet designated.
WATCH: Inverness public push for new music venue after Ironworks closure
But the ambitious refurbishment project is expected to add an exciting new dimension to the array of smaller live venues already thriving within Inverness city centre.
While Ironworks’ closure in February 2023 to make way for an Academy Street hotel development left a gaping hole in the live music scene, the vast majority of gigs there were actually attended by crowds of around 3-400, rather than its full capacity 1000.
Mr Stevenson’s plan is to reinstate Inverness city centre as a place capable of attracting and fulfilling the needs of small to medium-sized touring bands and other quality live artistic acts.
Venues like Tooth and Claw, Upstairs, Hootenanny and Highlander will continue to satisfy the needs of smaller acts and bands, while Eden Court Theatre can hold 850 within its main auditorium and Inverness Ice Rink can accommodate around 2000.
Mr Stevenson’s vision is to partially plug the Ironworks gap and breathe new life into the live music scene.
Crowds at the former Revolution premises would number 3-400 for gigs, with extra capacity in different rooms and reaches of the building taking it to a total 550.
The arts and music performance venue is expected to open to the public in coming months, although no timetable has been announced.
A spokesman for the firm MRG Hospitality said: “We are delighted to have acquired this 550 capacity venue in the heart of the city centre and to be able to bring an empty premises back into use, while creating 25 new jobs.
“The former Revolution site gives us a flexible and multi-use space that is significantly larger than our current premises. It will allow us to book touring bands and artists of all musical genres, as well as hosting other types of cultural events and arts installations.
“In addition to music and arts events, we will also be providing an innovative and locally focused food and drink offer year-round.
“We are currently working to get the site ready and will be releasing more information about upcoming bookings in due course.”
Plans lodged with Highland Council involve sealing off the existing entrance to create space for a performance stage.
Two doors will be created on either side of the stage in the existing storefront to facilitate entry to and from the listed building.
The bar area and existing seating plan created by Revolution will be maintained, while the main kitchen and bathroom facilities will remain at the rear.
Contractors have already been working on the interior of the city centre premises.
Revolution closed on Sunday, August 11 after seven years in business.
