Dingwall’s The Stag bar, cafe and restaurant will close in a week as the management wants to focus on The Mallard and ‘party’s, events and football in our function hall’
The proprietors of The National Hotel in Dingwall have announced that the popular Stag bar, cafe, and restaurant will close a week today in what is a surprise move for the town amid plans to refurbish the Mallard.
The management said in a statement online that they have decided to concentrate on “party’s, events and football in our function hall and outside catering” along with “creating a new catering package menu.”
The pub and restaurant was a popular and appreciated destination for locals and visitors alike after years when the hotel was closed so some patrons may be left unhappy with the development.
There will also be significant changes in the running of the hotel as it will operate on a bed and breakfast basis only though dinners will be provided for “big tours during the summer months”.
In the meantime, The Mallard will be refurbished and get a new new food and drinks menu.
EXCLUSIVE: The team behind The National are set to reopen The Mallard in Dingwall on Friday
Revamped National Hotel in Dingwall gets off to a flying start as locals welcome its return
PICTURES: Team behind Dingwall National Hotel revamp raring to go with bookings already coming in
The statement read: “Big Announcement. From the 26th of August we have decided to put our focus on party’s, events and football in our function hall and outside catering.
“The Stag Restaurant, Cafe and Bar will be closed, only open when there is an event or football. We’re looking at creating a new catering package menu.
“Hotel is going to run as a bed and breakfast only, from now on. Will provide dinners for big tours during the summer months.
“The Mallard is undergoing plans to have a refurbishment and a New Food and Drinks Menu.”
But some locals were less than pleased with the development, with Claire Woodford saying: “Not good at all. The National is our local. We won't be going to the Mallard”.
Sarah Fran Dayda said: “One sure way to ruin your business and add to a town that's absolutely dire already.
“Bad move, it won't end well, you'll end up like other business in Dingwall failing and closing, especially when there's talk of the new place across in the old Royal [Hotel] being food related also, if you’re stopping the toddler group, that's basically a kick in the teeth to the people who supported you by coming”.