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PICTURES: No shelter at Highland restaurant as outside area removed after complaints


By Louise Glen

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The outdoor seating area at Prime on Ness Walk was dismantled today after going up on Monday.
The outdoor seating area at Prime on Ness Walk was dismantled today after going up on Monday.

Moves by a city centre restaurant to create a new ad hoc outside seating area sharply divided opinion among locals.

We reported online last week how the owners of Prime steak and seafood restaurant in Ness Walk, Inverness were ordered to remove the lean-to just two days after erecting it in preparation for welcoming customers back as coronavirus restrictions were eased.

Social distancing measures limit the number of people that can be accommodated inside venues, with no alcohol allowed to be served indoors either.

Highland Council said owner Scott Murray, of Cru Holdings, did not have the necessary planning consent.

Mr Murray said: “Due to Covid restrictions easing we wanted to adapt quickly to meet the demands of customers, and we unfortunately misread the guidelines.

“As soon as we were contacted by the council and the mistake was highlighted, it was clear that no compromise could be reached where we immediately had to take action and make arrangements to remove our temporary outdoor area covering.

The outdoor seating area has now been dismantled.
The outdoor seating area has now been dismantled.

“We are now working with Highland Council to achieve an early solution to what can be done for our outdoor area – to help in our post-Covid recovery.”

With the story carried initially on our sister paper the Inverness Courier’s website and Facebook page, it caused a huge reaction among readers, both for and against the Prime effort.

One reader, John Billings, said: “It seems a bit hit and miss to what the council will allow, and those it will demand are removed.

“There is no rhyme or reason to it as far as I can see. It is another blow to a hard-working employer. Surely it could have been left in place until a solution was found. That would not have harmed anyone.”

Danielle Morrall agreed, saying: “All these premises are desperately trying to make arrangements to accommodate the current ‘restrictions’ and must have spent a fortune on doing so. Let’s face it, money is made when people are drinking.

Prime built an outdoor seating area on Monday April 26. Picture: James Mackenzie
Prime built an outdoor seating area on Monday April 26. Picture: James Mackenzie

“For a restaurant, I can’t see any difference between sitting inside and having your meal and a glass of wine, or having to endure the elements and sit in a makeshift building/tent to pretend you’re outside to have a glass of wine… all the while your very expensive food is cold in two minutes.”

And Ross Mckellar commented: “It’s actually very sad that the council can’t fast track planning permission in a day to get business open. If it’s a temporary structure surely there should not be a problem as it would be removed when things are back to normal?”

However, Fraser Morrison thought the council could not be blamed, stating: “Not sure who thought building extensions on public pavements without checking was a good move.”

And Jim Low added: “They didn’t have planning permission. Of course they were told to take it down.”

Prime Steak and Seafood built an outdoor seating area that was erected on Monday. Picture: James Mackenzie
Prime Steak and Seafood built an outdoor seating area that was erected on Monday. Picture: James Mackenzie

Paul Glass saw a chance to have a dig at a separate council initiative.

He said: “Obviously getting in the way of the bogging Covid barriers, never known the council to act so fast.”

A spokesman for Highland Council said: “The structure was erected without the benefit of planning permission or a road occupation permit.

“We are fully committed to assisting businesses, and are working with the operator to find a mutually acceptable solution.”

READ: PICTURES: Popular Inverness steak house told to remove outdoor seating area within 48 hours of putting it up


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