NC500 Midge Bite owners make emotionally tough decision to sell Achnasheen cafe
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A DESIRE to put down permanent roots in a Wester Ross community to which she has made made a huge contribution helped a businesswoman make an emotionally tough decision.
Hazel Boswell and her family launched The Midge Bite in Achnasheen back in March 2020 - right on the cusp of pandemic lockdowns that were to hammer the Highlands’ vital hospitality trade.
They started "not knowing how bad it was going to get" but rode out the storm to establish a thriving business.
Having lived in Achnasheen for eight years at the time, they leased the premises first for a year when they became available. Hazel, who is also active on a school parent council, said: "We felt that it was a sure thing and that turned out to be the case."
READ MORE:
• Ullapool Bookshop visit from author of Tom Novak and Max Craigie series Neil Lancaster
• PICTURES: Kyle RNLI polish lifesaving skillset with training exercise
• WATCH: Invergordon welcomes first cruise liner of the 2024 season
She said there was plenty of local support and its "main drag" location was perfectly placed to catch passing NC500 trade starting out in Inverness. Hazel said: "We knew how far it felt from everywhere.”
Along with husband Sean she ran The Bistro in Lochcarron at the time but lost that as a consequence of the pandemic and Brexit, with finding staff a real challenge.
The decision to sell The Midge Bite at this point is driven by a desire to buy a family home in Lochcarron which she describes as a great place to live but which has a “challenging” market for house hunters with many disappearing to cash buyers, some looking to run holiday lets.
Hazel said: "Lochcarron is an expensive place as it is both ideal for many people looking to do holiday lets and and those looking to retire. It's actually a great place to live. The school is a great size and Plockton High is great for anyone interested in music."
She intends keeping on a pop-up cafe at Attadale where she also works as head of housekeeping. She said she and her husband, a chef and HGV driver, will also look for local opportunities to get back into hospitality. Hazel said: "It would be nice to serve more people in the community."
She said of The Midge Bite in Achnasheen: "It's much more than a business. The customers are already there. They are laughing."
She is prepared to hand over seamlessly with no break in the season. She has already had significant interest by phone and email and is looking to sell at around £350,000, fully equipped as a going concern.
Hazel hopes the well organised and highly valued staff team she has built up will have the opportunity to stay.
She has strong links with Developing the Young Workforce in Gairloch and is passionate about helping young people into hospitality. She has taken on pupils from Plockton High and one from Kyle in recent times. She said: "It's good for children to know that they can come back to live a good life in the Highlands."
Hazel herself was brought up in Orkney and has lived and worked in the Highlands since she was 16.
She now has three children aged 9, 12 and 14 and doing well and settled in the area.
She said: "They feel a real part of the community and are involved with local sports teams"
