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Portsoy’s Aspire Restaurant sees extension approved by councillors





Aspire Restaurant in Portsoy has been given the go-ahead to expand its kitchen and add a new seating area despite concerns over the loss of a tree.

The Seafield Terrace eatery is found inside the former mid-19th Century St John’s Episcopal Church.

Jill Mair outside the Aspire Restaurant in Portsoy. Picture: Beth Taylor
Jill Mair outside the Aspire Restaurant in Portsoy. Picture: Beth Taylor

It opened its doors to diners in 2022 following much needed renovation works as the building lay empty for a number of years.

Work was already underway on the landmark site but this had started without permission from Aberdeenshire Council.

However, there was a potential hurdle in the way.

The local authority’s natural environment team objected to the plan as it meant removing a mature tree next to the historic building.

Meanwhile, council planners recommended the new additions be refused as they didn’t meet the region’s local development plan or planning policy.

They also said the external seating area was “out of keeping with the character of the area and thus be harmful to the wider streetscene”.

The application recently went before the Banff and Buchan area committee.

Project agent Michael Ritchie said the kitchen extension was needed due to Aspire’s increasing popularity – and because staff don’t have their own dedicated space.

He explained that the covered seating area would allow guests to eat at all times and in all weathers.

But more importantly, he said it would protect diners from seagulls in the summer “as they can be a nuisance”.

Mr Ritchie also told the committee that the tree was “too close” to the building and in a poor condition.

He even argued the tree would have a bigger impact on the look of the building than the outdoor seating and urged councillors to back the plan.

David Urquhart had been overseeing the proposal on behalf of his daughter Jill Mair, who owns the eatery.

He explained that the kitchen upgrade was needed to create more space to assist with preparing the restaurant’s meals.

Mr Urquhart admitted: “Since opening, the restaurant has attracted a loyal clientele and many international visitors.

“The success of Aspire has been more than anyone expected.”

He also said the tree was causing problems as it had become overgrown and was affecting the historic building’s brickwork and stained glass window.

It has since been pruned right back as he claimed it had been “out of control” for at least 15 years.

Councillor John Cox backed the kitchen extension as he believed it was needed, claiming Aspire was “a victim of its success”.

However, he also said it was “unfortunate” there had been so much focus on just one tree.

He added: “I don’t think we should hold up the development of this business, we see all around other places are closing down.

“Nearby there was a church that is now closed, there are very few businesses left in The Square nearby.

“To see some investment going on in Portsoy held up by a tree, it would be hard to stand up an objection to that.”

Meanwhile, councillor Glen Reynolds welcomed the upgrades saying they were needed to help the “booming” business grow.

He said it was important to help attract more tourists to the area who may be visiting the annual boat festival.

And he thought it could be beneficial as the harbour is becoming a popular location for TV and movie shoots, as seen in 2021 when the Peaky Blinders crew, and star Cillian Murphy, came to town.

“Portsoy needs all the help it can get at the moment, it’s increasingly becoming a site for filming and that’s very important to this coastal area,” he stated.

The committee went on to unanimously approve the application.


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