Planned reopening of new-look live music venue in Highland capital postponed over smell of paint
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A popular live music venue in Inverness has postponed its planned reopening tonight when it hoped to reveal a new look.
Hootananny, in Church Street, has undergone renovations including the creation of a mezzanine in the main downstairs bar and restaurant area.
It was set to welcome back customers tonight but has now postponed the reopening until Monday to allow the smell of a fire-resistant paint applied to steel to clear.
Owner Kit Fraser said: "It will take 48 hours to clear.
"I am disappointed but these things happen.
"It was a last-minute problem."
As work continued earlier this week, Mr Fraser said he was looking forward to welcoming back customers as coronavirus restrictions eased.
"It feels like a resurrection," he said.
"We have been closed for most of the pandemic. We opened a bit last summer and a couple of weeks over the winter.
"We will probably accommodate one-third of our normal capacity but at least we are open."
Mr Fraser also said that while the venue is reopening with a new look, there will still be further finishing touches in the future.
Plans to incorporate a reinforced glass balustrade into the mezzanine have been delayed due to production difficulties caused by the pandemic.
As an interim measure, tartan-covered boarding has been installed.
But Mr Fraser remained upbeat despite the difficulties lockdown had caused.
"Not for one moment did I entertain the possibility of failure," he said.
"I am an optimist. An entrepreneur who is not optimistic would not get out of bed."
From August 13, bands are set to return to the venue’s Mad Hatters bar.
Related story: Live music venue plans to reopen later this summer
