A GLIMPSE inside a long-delayed restaurant at the heart of Haddington is being offered.
Planning permission was given more than seven years ago to transform the former Procurator Fiscal’s office on the town’s Court Street.
In December 2015, permission was given to Meucci Ltd to change the office into a café/bistro.
However, the business has never opened its doors, despite various assurances that it was progressing in the right direction.
Now, Cornerstone Business Agents is looking for someone to take on the lease and for the business to open.
A spokesperson for Cornerstone Business Agents, which is based in Midlothian and Glasgow, said: “These recently refurbished premises in the heart of Haddington offer an outstanding opportunity for an operator looking to run a restaurant in this popular East Lothian town.
“Previously office premises, our client has created a restaurant space for circa 50 covers, furniture is there to allow the new tenant to configurate the space to their own choice.
“The commercial kitchen is kitted out to the highest standard and depending on the cuisine looking to be offered it is likely that little further investment will be required in this area.
“Haddington as a town continues to expand at pace with the population expanding at a rapid rate, a good quality restaurant/take away trading from this location would have every chance of attracting a high level of trade both from locals and visitors.”
Councillors have been kept up to date with progress at the premises.
They were previously told that issues with a building firm had delayed plans and the business had been due to open in the Spring of 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic.
In February of that year, members of the local authority’s licensing board were told it was hoped the business would be open before Easter.
Councillor John McMillan, who represents the Haddington and Lammermuir ward on East Lothian Council, was keen for progress to finally be made.
The cabinet spokesperson for environment, economic development and tourism told the Courier yesterday (Thursday): “I know from the time it was nearly completed with the booths going in that they made a considerable investment.
“Having an evening restaurant in the town centre brings with it benefits for that evening economy.
“There would be other places that might benefit from people being there.
“Obviously, a quality restaurant or shop bringing people in particularly on farmers’ markets days – it is the multiplier effect that they talk about.”
A leasehold with a price of £30,000 is being advertised.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here