YOUR VIEWS: Not much love for Inverness hotel decision
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Readers responded in large numbers to the decision to grant permission for a new hotel on the site of the Ironworks.
Hotel will be an eyesore in the city centre
Having seen the artist’s impression of the hotel I am definitely not pro hotel, it is certainly not going to blend in on the street and will be the source of many, many derogatory comments.
As for the problem of the Ironworks, if we must have the eyesore of the hotel, why not incorporate the music venue in the hotel?
H Nicoll
Inverness
Loss of music venue mourned by many
“Unbelievable decision by local councillors who have made a totally short-sighted decision to close one of the best live music venues in the country. We regularly travel north to Inverness to watch bands here but not any more. And for what – another eyesore of a building in the centre of Inverness. The anticipated number of jobs will not materialise – the existing hotels in the town are all understaffed already and any jobs that are created will all be minimum wage if that.” – Robert Hamilton, Tillicoultry
“It seems a huge step backwards for the city to be losing our only decent music venue to gain yet another hotel.” – James, Inverness
“I appreciate that Inverness needs more hotels to accommodate tourists but what plans are there to create a new music venue in the town centre? The Ironworks had booked some fairly well-known acts over the last 14 years but it also was a platform for local musicians of all age groups, an opportunity to perform their own original material, in a real music venue without having to travel all the way to Glasgow, Dundee and beyond.” – David Sidley, Inverness
“Whilst we all recognise that Inverness needs more hotel beds the views of the locals have been ignored by the council and ironically a great venue which attracted visitors to the town will be lost.” – Douglas Scott, Ardersier
“How can a planning authority give approval to such a monumental building which has no respect for the scale of other buildings in the area? The design may be suitable for Rome or Athens but certainly not Inverness.” – Alan Holling, Inverness
“I’m quite disappointed in this decision. Whilst I understand Inverness does need more hotel options for the tourism sector it should not be sacrificing one of the few venues we have up this way for music and entertainment. The Ironworks has been a great venue over the years with some incredible acts performing. It will be a shame to lose it without a replacement in the works.” – Andrew Duncan, Muir of Ord
“Councillors just do not listen to what local people want. How does the casting vote fall to a councillor who doesn’t even live within Inverness. Unbelievable!” – Des, Inverness
“Only knock down the Ironworks and build the hotel if there is solid plans to build a bigger music venue.” – Darren Rostock, Inverness
“Would you not think there is more than enough hotels in town without any more.” – Anne Anderson, Inverness
“No surprise – public opinion has never and won’t influence any of Highland Council’s decisions – the Gathering Place and tilting bridge being prime example. The obsession with the provision of yet another concrete monstrosity will lead to a city centre void of any architectural worth...and the loss of a popular public venue...money talks.” – Harry Corbett, Tain
“I object to this planning permission. Highland Council should concentrate on the general maintenance of the streets and pavements. No point building a hotel when the place looks like the Third World.” – John Bain, Inverness
“Absolute disgrace that the Ironworks is to be lost. So many town centres are becoming corporate havens with no soul – looks like Inverness is sadly going the same way. Inverness is in a unique situation, especially for it’s size, in that it has a huge regional catchment area (larger than Belgium?) with visitors and residents from around the globe. We should be supporting and showcasing the best of Britain, the best of Scotland and the best of the Highlands and Islands. Another hotel in the centre making the city less interesting to visitors and residents alike. You want people to sleep in Inverness, but what is there to do once here? Shops are closing, entertainment is reducing? What a sad state of affairs for what could be a great town centre. Removing independents for the benefit of corporates. We should all be ashamed of what is happening to remove the city’s identity. Sad, sad, sad...” – Iain Nelson, Inverness
“Inverness has plenty of hotels and before Ironworks was crying out for a music venue that focused on just that, the music. Whilst it catered for other kinds of entertainment, it has always been the core venue for a gig and will be sorely missed.” – Luke Duncan, Dingwall
“Absolutely the wrong decision, the last thing Inverness city centre needs is another hotel.” – Tony Smith, Rogart
“I strongly object to another hotel in the centre of the city. There are approximately 10 within half a mile of the ironworks site with countless B&Bs nearby too. Visitors to the city need entertainment venues and this should be encouraged by the council if they want the local economy to recover.” – Joan Macdonald, Inverness
“No it’s ridiculous, they have more than enough hotels, they need music venues in the so-called city!!” – Sandra Lowe, Kingussie
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