Popular Aviemore bar and restaurant applies to launch takeaway service
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The Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore hopes to extend its outdoor drinking area and launch a new food and alcohol takeaway service.
The popular pub on Old Dalfaber Road has been a favourite with locals and visitors for decades.
Like many other establishments, it extended its outdoor drinking area by the banks of the River Spey under temporary licensing laws in the Covid pandemic.
Now, the owners hope to serve up to 300 people in an outdoor area across the road from the existing premises.
They also want to launch a takeaway service, with the possibility of providing food and alcohol deliveries too.
Owners Bigface Limited in Glasgow have applied for a licence variation.
The bid is up for decision on 10 January at a meeting of the Highland Licensing Board in Inverness.
A report to the board says the operators have held the licence since 2009, and provide a satisfactory service.
It adds that the Old Bridge Inn already serves drinks up to 11pm and has not had any public complaints.
During lockdown, it added a covered area of picnic tables to a large flat area on the east side of the road.
This significantly extended its capacity and allowed the pub to serve many more customers.
Highland Council officials say the area could now accommodate up to 300 people, and noted that it is safe and well lit, with plenty seating.
The Old Bridge Inn hosts several parties and festivals a year using the area by the River Spey.
The licence application was advertised in November and did not attract any objections.
However, the council received a late representation on 19 December.
The licensing board will be asked to decide whether to hear the details of the objection, or dismiss it since it arrived past the deadline.
Both Bigface and the objector are invited to attend the meeting at the Highland Council headquarters.
