UPDATE: Crunch talks with environmental health on Inverness axe-throwing bar plan with possible noise issues for nearby residents in the spotlight
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Investors in a unique new Inverness bar experience featuring axe-throwing today met on-site with environmental health officials.
Taran Campbell (37) and business partner David Montgomery (31) want to redevelop 27-31 Academy Street as an innovative games-themed pub and restaurant over three floors, with two attractive roof terraces.
By knocking through a wall to link the former Ponden Interiors premises with the vacant former Highland Hospice shop and basement on Queensgate, the business would occupy four floors in all.
The young entrepreneurs have already been given licensing approval by Highland Council for a project that could create 25 to 30 jobs.
But an environmental health official has raised concerns over potential noise pollution for nearby residents emanating from the open-air terraces.
Playback, as it would be named, would tune into the popular trend of “competitive socialising” with an unusual array of games and activities to divert customers.
As well as three separate bars and dining areas, there would be self-service beer taps, table-tennis, beer pong, darts, pool, arcade games and shuffleboard.
High standards of safe supervision would allow competitive axe-throwing to be offered as a sober pursuit within a special safety cage, holding one competitor at a time.
The pair are also promising “a few extra surprises”, with the aim of establishing a very different socialising experience.
Mr Campbell, from Inverness, and Edinburgh-raised Mr Montgomery first teamed up to found the Infinity Trampoline Park at the Telford Retail Park.
They run a similar trampoline attraction in Cardiff.
After adding the former Highland Hospice premises to their plans, the pair had to re-submit a new planning application.
A response to the new application by environmental health officer Robin Fraser states: “The proposed development includes several aspects which may have an adverse impact on any nearby residents.
“The main concern would be noise and disturbance from the proposed external roof terraces, but there is also potential for music and other noise arising from within the premises.
“I understand the changes will still include the provision of food, therefore there will
be a need for adequate filtration and dispersion of cooking odours to prevent any
adverse impact on nearby residents.”
Speaking ahead of meetings with environmental health staff, Mr Campbell said he and his business partner had always anticipated scrutiny over noise levels, given the outdoor terraces proposed.
He said: “Whenever you put in an outdoor terrace with drinking, the question has to be asked on whether it will have an environmental impact.
“That was assumed and I’m actually meeting environmental health at the site today (Monday) to go over things.
“But it has all been fairly straightforward. We’re putting in a noise management plan and doing an impact assessment, and feel we should be able to tick all the boxes.”
Mr Campbell said he hoped the development could play a significant part in the regeneration of the city centre.
He added: “I’m personally super-excited about the build the project. I can’t wait to bring this to Inverness.
“It is a new concept. I love a challenge, and this is a great challenge for me.
“It will be a big positive for the town. Nobody likes seeing these big units sitting empty, so to be able to regenerate with something like this I think will be really cool.
“I’m hoping we can get through planning by the end of this month and then we can begin work.”
