A Moray pub behind plans to transform its lounge into a coffee shop is aiming to open its doors next month.
In April, we revealed the Red Lion Tavern in Fochabers was looking to reinvent their existing lounge into a coffee shop.
Bosses says the Greenacres Coffee Shop will provide a “friendly and welcoming space” for people.
Work is well underway after approval from planning chiefs in June.
The new Fochabers coffee shop will create four new jobs.
Plans for Fochabers coffee shop
The pub lounge was previously used as a pool room.
Now, it will be transformed into a dog-friendly coffee shop.
Callum Russell is the group operations director for Highland Travel Inns, which has run the Red Lion for the last 24 years.
He revealed the idea “snowballed” after seeing people’s changing behaviour and struggling to find a place for him and his wife Jenny to meet friends with their dog Buddy.
The firm already has the Gordon Arms Hotel in Fochabers and Pub in the Square in Buckie.
He explained: “We’ve seen people’s drinking habits change since the pandemic.
“Folk are more likely to drink at home now because it’s a little bit cheaper.
“People have realised why spend £3 on a pint in the pub when you can get a tin for a pound.
“We want to create a hub where people can go to do some work, read a book or meet friends without alcohol.
Over the pandemic, my wife and I didn’t have anywhere to meet friends with the dog.
Mr Russell added: “The lounge was a games room and restroom first.
“It was also a pool room with live music.
“It was recently a separate space for 18-to-20-year olds visiting the pub. This was only busy on Friday and Saturday nights.
“It made more sense to have something more full-time.
“Over the pandemic, my wife and I didn’t have anywhere to meet friends with the dog.
“We want this coffee shop to address that and people’s changing habits.
Boost for Fochabers High Street
Smaller towns like Lossiemouth and Fochabers are in a healthy position with more shopping-local and new businesses opening up.
Meanwhile, larger towns like Elgin are struggling after years of relying on large retailers.
The rapid rise of online shopping and the pandemic’s financial storm saw the likes of Clarks, Burton, Game and Edinburgh Woollen Mill shutdown.
Mr Russell is excited about the proposed November opening.
He is positive about the future of the Fochabers High Street.
He added: “These are exciting times, people have been positive about our plans.
“Fochabers’ High Street is looking busier than Aberdeen and Elgin.
“It is good we have local businesses that care about what is happening about the community, rather than faceless and nameless organisations.
“People in smaller towns are more willing to spend an extra 50p to 60p to support local businesses.”
Look at the layout of new coffee shop:
Conversation