The owners of MacGregor's remain determined to add a gourmet fish bar to the current gastro-pub despite Town Centre Funding setback

The owners of MacGregor's pub have vowed to pursue their plans of creating a gourmet seafood bar after losing out on town centre cash.

Jo de Silva and her husband the renowned musician Bruce MacGregor hoped to use an empty space next to the current pub to create a new offering.

But both councillors and officials said the bid for funding did not show enough public benefit to qualify as the Town Centre Fund aims to support employment and construction.

Now Mr MacGregor has vowed to pursue the plan to create the seafood bar replete with a mezzanine for outdoor dining.

"Yes, it is disappointing but we are definitely going to continue," he said.

"We have actually looked at other premises around town to do it and kind of looked at what we have and then said 'wait a minute there is a space we can probably build in there.

"It is something my wife Jo has been very keen on for quite some time albeit she is the pescatarian in the family.

"So that is really where it comes from, I would think there is an opportunity in the market there."

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.