The family behind Aberdeen’s popular Moossh beauty salon have been given the go-ahead to transform an old Mannofield bank into a new cafe.
The owners of Moossh Nails and Beauty unveiled their plan to convert the former TSB branch on Great Western Road last October.
Bank customers were left disappointed after the Mannofield bank closed its doors in June 2021.
Lucy Slattery, who runs the beauty salon on Union Street with her sister Claire Tester, revealed her plan for the vacant unit explained her vision for it as the plans went before the council’s planning committee.
And she explained how the “healthy lifestyle cafe” had been devised to mirror those found in trendy parts of Edinburgh.
Family hope to ‘bring life back’ to former bank building
Lucy attended the meeting with her dad, George Tester.
She told the committee that they operate their existing beauty business along with mum Judy and sister Claire.
The family have “loved” running the nail and beauty salon together since it opened last year, hailing it a “great success”.
George’s background in hospitality has helped with the new proposal, with Lucy explaining that his knowledge and experience has been “invaluable”.
After falling in love with the former TSB building and its location, Lucy said the family wanted to “bring life back” to the vacant premises – and the local area.
Having all lived in Edinburgh in recent years, the family admired the capital’s cafe culture and wants to replicate this in Aberdeen.
Cafe will give people a place to work or meet with friends
The new cafe will support local suppliers and create up to 20 new part and full-time jobs.
It will see Lucy and her family invest more than £750,000 into Mannofield, with an aim to create one of the finest cafe and delis in Aberdeen.
“We want to create a high-end cafe with spaces where people can come to meet with friends and family,” she explained.
Plug points will be located around the cafe to give customers the chance to “escape” from home or the office and have a “comfortable” working space.
What would be on offer at the new Moossh cafe?
Meanwhile, Lucy said the healthy lifestyle cafe was ideally located for those who wanted to either walk, take the bus or bike there.
She revealed that the cafe would cater to everyone from vegetarians to vegans, as well as pescatarians and meat eaters.
It is also planning to serve fresh coffee, croissants, cakes and bread, as well as cheese and meat platters, salads and homemade soups.
Lucy added: “We want a comfortable place where you can come after work, grab a bite to eat, a glass of wine and give your kids a hot chocolate.”
Aberdeen cafe would ‘breathe life’ into Mannofield
But the plan received a mixed response from residents.
Eight locals objected to the cafe plan, while 22 offered their support.
Those opposed to the development raised concerns about parking, cooking smells and litter, while some were worried it would cause more noise at night.
But those in favour of the cafe said it was a “fantastic opportunity” and a “wonderful idea to breathe life into the area”.
Robert Turnbull said: “It’s horrible to see these buildings closed and boarded up.”
While April Mcarthur added: “A cafe would be a great addition to the area.
“Aberdeen is in need of some new places to go.”
What did Aberdeen City Council have to say about the plan?
Council planners had recommended the plan be approved, saying it would make a “positive contribution” to the Mannofield neighbourhood centre.
But they suggested that the cafe should operate between 8am and 11pm to ensure it wouldn’t negatively impact surrounding residents.
The application was unanimously approved by members of the planning committee.
You can watch the meeting here.
Conversation