Praise for plans to extend thriving Huntly restaurant
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NEW plans have been submitted to Aberdeenshire Council by Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky (DTSW) to transform the empty building next to The Bank Cafe and Restaurant, in Huntly's town square.
The new site would be an extension of the popular eatery.
MSP Alexander Burnett praised the plans to develop the town's hospitality sector.
He said: "It is great to see the ambition of The Bank Cafe and Restaurant in their planning application to extend the restaurant into the old Bank of Scotland building. This expansion is a clear show of faith in the town and a real boost to the local economy and town centre."
The Bank restaurant opened in March this year, in the former Clydesdale bank building and if the new plans go ahead, another former bank could form the next phase of the thriving hospitality business.
Plans for the adjoining building – formerly the Bank of Scotland, which closed last April – include a bar area, restaurant floor space, toilets and an office space.
DTSW previously lodged plans to turn the former TSB nearby in the town centre into a whisky shop and tasting room. They also purchased The Castle Hotel last May, with plans to open next year.
Ian Logan, head of whiskies and hospitality for DTSW, said: "With The Bank Restaurant now firmly ensconced in the day-to-day life of Huntly and the surrounding area, we felt it was time to build on a very successful first five months by opening the former Bank of Scotland next door.
"At present there is a great deal of work going on in the building to make it ready for a potential opening later this year.
"It is very important to us to maintain what we have established at The Bank, though the expansion will have a slightly different look and feel to it. Beyond that we want to keep some surprises for nearer the opening."
