Councillors yesterday granted a licence for a major new seafront restaurant in a Highland town.
LJ Restaurants will be able to sell alcohol until 1am seven days a week at the Sun Dancer Bar and Restaurant in Nairn. They also now have permission for off sales until 10pm at the Harbour Street premises.
The firm also plans to make the establishment available for private functions and have an outdoor terrace area overlooking the Moray Firth.
Residents initially raised concerns that there had been a supposed shift in emphasis in the company’s business plan, from restaurant to bar and disco venue, since the original application was granted in November 2014.
But during the council’s Licencing Board meeting yesterday, owners Michael Jack, and son Lee Jack, suggested the way the proposals were portrayed on paper may have led to more than objections than expected about possible noise and anti-social behaviour.
Many questioned the purpose of the off sales licence, but Mr Jack clarified said this was aimed at holidaymakers using neighbouring self-catering premises who may want to buy alcohol to go with a take-away from the premises.
Councillors were also shown a scale model of the proposed establishment to indicate that any doors opening out onto the terrace will face away from neighbouring homes.
Eight objections were received in response to the application but only one resident attended yesterday’s meeting.
A meeting between the owners and about 20 residents last Wednesday which involved a tour around the new premises, appeared to allay much of their initial concerns.
Following yesterday’s decision Mr Jack said: “I am absolutely delighted with the decision. Hopefully all concerns by neighbours were addressed.
“It’s a huge result for us and a huge result for the town. It’s hard to measure what the economic impact might be but it must be one of the biggest eateries in the area and it should be a major turning point for the town because it could also attract further investment.”
The Sun Dancer Bar and Restaurant is still under construction on the site of the former Sandancer amusement arcade building.
The premises will be on two levels, with a 106-seat restaurant, bar and lounge, terrace and private function room on top and a cafe downstairs.
The owners plan to open the Sun Dancer in May.
During yesterday’s meeting Nairn councillor Liz MacDonald, who is a board member, said: “The building is a tremendous asset to the town and I am sure it will bring in tourism. I wish the owners all the best of luck and I am sure it will go very well for them.”