Banff’s Local Hero pub to lose ‘iconic’ boat-shaped bar as plan to turn Ship Inn into cafe is approved

Banff’s Ship Inn will be transformed into a cafe and flat despite protests the change will be a “great loss” to the town.

George Wood applied to Aberdeenshire Council seeking permission to transform The Ship Inn earlier this year, having previously tried to destroy it to make way for flats.

The C-listed 18th Century pub is best known for its starring role in the 1983 comedy Local Hero.

Its interior was used as the fictional Macaskill Arms in the film directed by Bill Forsyth, and fans have made pilgrimages there over the years.

Famous pub to become cafe

Now the bar area featured in the film will be refurbished as the venue is brought back to life as a cafe – with the former lounge to be transformed into a flat.

Listed building consent for external and internal alterations was given the go-ahead last month, but the final decision came down to elected members today.

The Banff pub closed its doors for good in 2020 and the building is currently vacant.

Mr Wood had previously applied for permission to convert the ground floor into two houses but councillors threw the plan out back in January.

Ship Inn’s ‘iconic’ bar to be removed to make way for cafe

The proposal was considered by the Banff and Buchan area committee.

Councillor Ross Cassie queried the “tourism value” of the building and asked council planners if any elements of the famous bar would be retained.

But planning officer Jim Martin told him that site plans indicate that the “iconic” bar area would be removed – and could possibly be gone already.

Mr Martin also told the committee that the Ship Inn’s current owner has “no intention” to sell the building despite it being listed for sale online.

Instead Mr Wood hopes to refurbish and run the new cafe himself or lease it out to someone else.

Have a look at the “iconic” bar in this video:

Plan would give ‘much-needed regeneration’ to Banff

Committee chairwoman councillor Doreen Mair supported the new chapter for the famous inn.

She said: “If the cafe operator or owner was to build on its reputation as being part of the Local Hero film, especially with the 40th anniversary coming up, I think that would be a good thing.

“A cafe would have a very positive impact in the area.”

Councillor Cassie also welcomed the proposal saying it would bring the building back into use.

He added: “It will offer facilities for those visiting the area and will give much-needed regeneration to that area of Banff.”

The plan was then unanimously approved by the committee.

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Pub conversion would be ‘great loss’ to Banff

But not everyone was happy with the proposed change.

Two local residents wrote to the local authority opposing the plan.

Rachel Kennedy believed that converting the historic pub would be a “great loss” to Banff.

She said: “Its unique history relating to the iconic Scottish film Local Hero makes it a key focus for much-needed tourism in the area.

“If this was to end, it would be a loss to the town.”

But council planners said the change would “contribute to economic benefit and improve health and wellbeing by offering opportunities for social interaction”.

Planners also argued it would make “efficient use of an existing building” and “protect the historic environment”.

Film critic Mark Kermode previously described his fondness for The Ship Inn after The Press and Journal revealed it was at risk.