A former Inverness pub is to be converted into a pizza restaurant and takeaway which is hoped will breathe new life into part of the city centre.
Pepperoni Especiale will open at the site of the former Nellie Deans pub in Tomnahurich Street by the start of June. The pub had been closed for about 18 months.
The new premises will be an expansion of the existing Pizza Pepperoni business in Telford Street – near the Caledonian Canal – which will also change its name.
A new Polish owner, Lukasz Domagala, will take on the lease from Iona Pub Partnership (IPP) for the new restaurant which will create several new jobs – but the numbers are unknown at this stage.
Manager Paulina Pawlak said: “In our takeaway, lots of people have been coming in and asking for places to sit. We are trying to do something more family focused and parents can still have their beer while enjoying good food. The pizzas are great and we have the biggest pizza in Inverness. We are going to put in a wee play zone for children, too.”
The new restaurant will have seating inside for about 60 people.
It will also be the first place in Inverness to sell the American beer Pabst on draught.
Inverness Central councillor Donnie Kerr said: “I am just glad to see another empty building filled. It’s never been successful as a bar, maybe it will be as a restaurant. It will be good to see another employer in that area.
“I wish them all the success in their new venture and I am sure they will employ many local people.”
Fellow ward councillor Janet Campbell said: “It’s certainly a premises that’s been empty for some time. I welcome any business that will improve the footfall in the city and something like this may attract custom and bring more people into the city and that is a good thing.
“It will make that part of Inverness that little bit more vibrant and all of that has to be welcomed.”
Richard Brown, IPP business development manager for the area, said: “There are a lot of good things happening that side of the water, and we are starting to see the whole dynamic of Inverness changing.”