Banff’s Local Hero pub could have new future as cafe – after outcry over plans to destroy famous bar

The owner of Banff’s Local Hero pub wants to seal its future as a visitor attraction by turning it into a cafe.

George Wood sparked uproar last year when he proposed destroying the Ship Inn to make way for two flats.

The move would have meant the Deveronside bar used as the interior of the fictional Macaskill Arms was obliterated.

It’s a spot fans of the 1983 Bill Forsyth movie have been making pilgrimages to for decades.

And film buffs across the world were aghast at the plans, including critic and Local Hero super-fan Mark Kermode who described The Ship Inn as “a bit of movie history”.

Even actor Denis Lawson, who stood behind the bar as hotelier Gordon Urquhart, told the P&J he would be sad to see it go.

How could Local Hero pub in Banff become cafe?

Eventually, councillors argued the pub was a “tourist attraction” and threw out Mr Wood’s application for the change.

The vote came as something of a relief for many, especially as the council’s own planning chiefs had implored the committee to approve the change.

And it seems the businessman has now had a change of heart.

Mr Wood has tabled fresh plans with Aberdeenshire Council, seeking to preserve the bar as the town’s newest cafe.

Under the revised blueprints, only the former lounge (which has not featured in any heartwarming comedy hits) will be converted into a flat.

The famous bar will be kept, only this time operating as a cafe.

Scroll back and forth to see the changes rejected by the council last year:

And now, scroll to see the renewed proposal to save the bar:

Do you welcome this new plan for the Ship Inn? Let us know in our comments section below

Will cafe plans be locals’ cup of tea?

Blueprints show the cafe would have nine tables, with seating space for 20 customers.

An application form also states that Mr Wood has received “positive feedback” on the revised scheme.

You can see the plans here.

Read more on the Ship Inn saga:

• Local Hero barman Denis Lawson backs campaign to save Banff pub featured in film
• ‘It was like stepping into a movie’: Mark Kermode on why Banff’s Local Hero pub should be saved
• Banff’s Local Hero pub SAVED as councillors reject flats plan
• Colin Farquhar: Banff’s Ship Inn is so much more than a pub – it’s a huge part of our cultural history