The award-winning Ballater restaurant Rothesay Rooms will be taken over by independent hospitality provider BaxterStorey in the new year.
The Royal Deeside venue, which is housed in the historic Old Royal Station, has had a successful six years under The Prince’s Foundation.
The reins will be handed over to BaxterStorey, which operates in the UK, Ireland and Europe, on January 1 2023. The Prince’s Foundation will retain the lease of the venue and will let it to the company for an undisclosed sum.
First established as a pop-up eating destination by the now King Charles, it’s purpose was to to drive tourism and employment to the area following the flooding and a fire in the village in 2015.
When the station was destroyed in the fire, The Prince’s Foundation undertook an extensive restoration and renovation project, bringing jobs and visitors to the town.
Rothesay Rooms success
While the restaurant has celebrated numerous award wins in its six years and has also been included in the Michelin Guide for the past five, the foundation has been presented with challenges and has had to reconsider its involvement with the establishment.
Rothesay Rooms is led by celebrated north-east chef Ross Cochrane and general manager Carolina Cochrane. To date, all profits generated from the restaurant have been diverted back into The Prince’s Foundation to support its charitable work, including its education and training initiatives.
A portion profits from the operation of the restaurant will continue to be passed to The Prince’s Foundation from BaxterStorey when they takeover. This will be invested in the charity’s various programmes.
Staff will continue in their positions, however BaxterStorey will review the food and drink offering, as well as opening hours in the new year. The team and staff will be consulted during this time.
Gordon Neil, executive director of The Prince’s Foundation, said: “The challenges presented by the global pandemic in the past two years, coupled with the acute impact on the hospitality industry, have led to us consider whether The Prince’s Foundation is best-placed to build on the significant success of what was originally intended to be a pop-up establishment.
“From discussions with BaxterStorey in recent months, it has become clear that Rothesay Rooms staff and customers are in the best possible hands, and we look forward to seeing how the restaurant can continue to grow from strength to strength in a very special part of Scotland.”
The Prince’s Foundation will honour all bookings and run the restaurant until December 31, 2022.
A BaxterStorey future awaits
BaxterStorey specialises in restaurants, cafes, deli bars and executive dining rooms.
Their footprint spans across Scotland and they take pride in their connections with local Scottish suppliers and a passion for celebrating regional cuisine.
Jeremy Wood, managing director for BaxterStorey Scotland, said: “Rothesay Rooms is one of Royal Deeside’s most revered restaurants and it’s a privilege to be a part of its future.
“We look forward to working with Ross, Carolina and their team to develop a menu which celebrates the best in Scottish produce and continues to be at the heart of the community”.
Rothesay Rooms was named Restaurant of the Year in 2017, 2018, and 2019 at the North East Scotland Chef and Restaurant of the Year Competition.
Conversation