World famous boxing hero inspires Ali’s Fork in the Road venture in Dingwall as former Oscars bar boss bows out with heartfelt thanks to locals
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A SPORTS pub in Dingwall is set for a completely fresh lease of life as a green cafe and hub.
Oscars, previously known as Pockets, has changed hands with drams to be replaced by organic herbal teas, nuts and dried fruit.
Popular mine host Martin Keyes turned 60 and decided to retire.
It has been bought by local woman Tina May who at 60 has decided to go into business.
Oscars is to be named Ali’s Fork in the Road, after the boxing superstar, Mohammed Ali.
“You have your heroes when you are growing up and he was one of mine,” said Tina.
But that is where any sporting connection will end although Tina added: “I enjoy a game of pool so I might keep one of the tables.”
She plans starting in a small way with the prospect of opening a veggie cafe in the long term, though she agrees being located close to Munro’s abattoir might be something of a turn off for some potential patrons.
Even traditional tea and coffee will be frowned on at Ali’s while nettle, hibiscus and turmeric beverages will be on the drinks list.
“I believe caffeine drinks are all pretty toxic,” she said. “Caffeine knocks the immune system and you have to think about who owns these big tea and coffee plantations overseas.
“Sugar is another case in point. Cuba is a massive exporter of sugar, yet many Cubans are living in poverty while we consume vast quantities of a substance that can cause cancer and heart disease.”
Her husband Dennis ran a seafood business in Strathpeffer until dying of cancer about 20 years ago.
Tina added: “There is about half an acre of land with the premises, and it would be good to grow some herbs there. I have bought seeds and will be giving them out to customers to grow at their homes and bring in.
“I plan to open on February 8 but start slowly with voluntary assistance at first but hopefully developing to serving food and having staff to benefit the community.”
Former licensee Martin,who worked in the bar trade in Houston, Texas, before buying Oscars, said: “My time at Oscars was a blast and there are bound to be regulars who will miss the place. It was an institution and I made many good friends there. Folk have been saying ‘Where will we go to watch the football now?’
“I must thank the local people who have been good to me over the years especially when we were flooded out about 2009/10 and folk rallied round to repair the place. If it wasn’t for the local folk I wouldn’t have been back in business.”
Related: Dingwall publican left counting the cost after flood
His wife Roslyn is a teacher at Park PS, Invergordon and he joked that he is to become a “kept man” until he finds a part time job.
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