Open for business at The Mallard in Dingwall – for now at least – as landlord Greene King Brewery signals plans to find new partner at popular pub next to railway station
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THE operator of a popular Ross-shire pub that faced closure after this weekend has signalled business as usual – for now.
Sean Kennedy, a face familiar to thousands of people during his 50 years as a publican, has agreed to stay behind the bar at The Mallard on a week to week basis until a new leaseholder can be found.
The pub next to Dingwall Railway Station is a popular part of the local social scene and, within a stone's through of Ross County FC's Global Energy Stadium, a favourite haunt for football fans.
But Mr Kennedy admitted that up until this week, it had looked likely time would be called after Sunday.
His lease was due to end on June 1 but with no one else found by landlord Greene King Brewery, he agreed to stay on short term.
Mr Kennedy, who previously ran establishments in Strathpeffer and at Dingwall's National Hotel, said: "Up to this week it was looking highly likely that the pub was going to close for an unknown period of time after this Sunday.
"I had told my customers that we would be closing, and I was until the last minute when the owners agreed terms. I just want people to know that we are now not closing."
He said: "During the past four months I have worked tirelessly with Greene King to give them the opportunity to find a new tenant. As this has still not happened, only this week did Greene King offer terms that are acceptable to me to keep me in place in the short term, possibly only on a week to week basis.Negotiations are still going on to see if it will be possible to extended this.
"I have always in the 50-plus years I have been involved in the licensed trade in the area seen it as my responsibility to be a community based business and to this end I do not wish to see the pub closed for the good of the local Dingwall community and wider communities.
"This along with everything else that is going on at the moment has been a very stressful time for me and my team at the Mallard. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and offer my heartfelt thanks to my hard-working staff and to say how proud and respectful I am of their efforts and sticking by me."
He added: "So at the very least it will be business as normal at The Mallard next week."
Councillor Graham MacKenzie, (Dingwall and Seaforth) said the loss of The Mallard would be a sad day for the town.
He said: "I am glad to hear that The Mallard will remain open for now. It is a special place for many local people and provides a place for people to have a good social life in the town.
"Sean is a popular host and he runs a good establishment. I hope if he can be persuaded to stay, and that terms can be agreed to keep him there.
"Dingwall needs all the well-run premises it has, and it will be a sad day if any of them was to go."
Greene King confirmed it is looking for a new "community focussed partner" who can maximise live sport and engage with locals.
It said: "We are currently seeking a new partner for the Mallard pub in Dingwall. We are looking for a community focused operator who can maximise upon live sport and local seasonal activity as well engaging with the locals. The Mallard sits on Dingwall railway station platform which has excellent links to Inverness and the Highlands. The lease has become available following the retirement of the previous licensee, who has run the pub for many years. Those interested in the role should visit the website to apply at www.greenekingpubs.co.uk/pub-to-let/mallard-dingwall.”
