REACTION: Loss of the Ironworks venue in Inverness

In the last 24 hours, people have been voicing their opinions about Highland Council's planning committee decision yesterday which confirms that a hotel will replace The Ironworks in Inverness which was custom-built as a music venue in 2006.

Norman Maclean, who has been playing music in the area for many year, said on Facebook: 'It's absolutely sickening that a relatively young purpose built venue like this can be allowed to be bulldozed.'

Richmond Clements commented: 'It's an act of cultural vandalism. Nothing more or less.'

Rob Ellen, who has been promoting music and gigs in the area for decades, said: 'It feels we’re back at stage one again, serious questions need to be asked and answered, surely some of this tourist money that is filling more and more beds in more and more hotels can be diverted to supporting the music which is such a big part of why they come anyway. What is for sure is we need a replacement live venue hub. Ignore that at everyone’s peril.'

Tim Keppie wrote: 'Even Edinburgh the capital city has suffered with the loss of important venues through the years. These places are criminally undervalued. Never happens to sports venues, art galleries or classical music venues. Why not?'

Rory Baldwin, a musician, referred back to the loss of an earlier music venue in Inverness: 'Feels like the Railway Club all over again...'

Someone who travelled to the venue to see gigs as well as play there, Bill Morrison, says: 'I gigged there, and travelled from Aberdeen to see gigs, it is a great venue.'

Some people were looking to the future and what will happen with the loss of the premier music venue.

Dave Sidley, who has played in many bands over the years across the area, said: 'The capital city of the Highlands of Scotland no longer has a purpose built music venue again.

A sad blow for up and coming original bands

There should have been solid plans to build a new venue before the demolition of The Ironworks.'

Davy Cowan, who has played in many bands and with a busy solo career, wrote: 'It's almost hard to remember life before the Ironworks. To finally have had a venue that nurtured local musicians and bands, somewhere for the youngsters to cut their teeth and the older geezers like myself, a platform to share original music – whether a support with one of the big touring artists or a showcase of local talent – it's a travesty. The years of hard work and effort, gone with the stroke of a pen...'

But someone looking to how to move on from the Ironworks' loss, Marc Hindley writes: ' It must be seen as the end of the beginning not the beginning of the end.'

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