The sale of a world famous Inverness pub could help boost a rundown area in the other side of the city.
Well known north publican George MacLean is putting The Castle Tavern on the market later this month.
And he plans to concentrate on his other business in the city, The Phoenix Ale House
The Tavern pub and restaurant is a magnet for the thousands of tourists who flock to Inverness Castle every year, as well as being close to two busy backbackers’ hostels.
As a result the tavern, with a turnover of £1,000,000, is known the world over, as well as having a large local clientele.
Mr MacLean said: ” I may lease or sell but with an ever expanding Inverness, and the castle itself set to become a tourist attraction rather than a courthouse as at present, the business can only grow further.
“After 50 years in the licensed trade I am planning to slow down a bit, but not fully retire from the licensed trade.
“Earlier this year I bought back the Phoenix Bar in Academy Street, now called The Phoenix Ale House, and it’s my intention to upgrade the entire building and that will be this year’s project.”
“The Tavern is an established business in a prime location on Castle Street opposite Inverness Castle and has a turnover of over £1,000,000.”
Councillors and business leaders have been trying to revitalise the area around The Phoenix at the bottom end of Academy Street, and Mr MacLean said he was attempting to play his part.
He said he plans to develop further the historic Phoenix building further, and he expressed the hope that the planned student flats in the nearby Rose Street area would go ahead, bringing new life to the city centre.
He added: “The area in the not too distant future should be quiet exciting. Next door, the old AI Welders HQ is about to be developed into a flagship bar by Craingorm Brewery, while across the road a good friend of mine is about to put a Thai Restaurant into existing premises.
“Further down at the end of Academy Street another operator in the licensed trade has got plans to create a cellar bar which can only provide healthy footfall for the area.”
At the moment the development of the Phoenix building is in the hands of the Mr MacLean’s architects and one of the proposals is the re-opening of the main entrance to Rose Street creating all sorts of possibilities.