The owners of Aberdeen’s Dutch Mill have warned of “considerable” job losses as they face shutting their marquee within weeks.
The large structure was put up over the hotel’s car park as Covid restrictions hammered hospitality.
But, despite proving a hit with customers, it will have to be dismantled next month under current council rules.
Officials have decreed the structure on Queen’s Road is not to be used beyond January 9, and should be “wholly removed” by January 30.
This is to ensure the “timely removal” of an addition which was only ever allowed “on a temporary basis”.
The decision was made “in the interests of visual amenity”, as the traditional surroundings are part of a conservation area.
Desperate management are now scrambling to secure permission for a smaller replacement until 2025 – warning jobs are on the line.
What impact would losing Dutch Mill marquee have on jobs?
The Dutch Mill employs about 70 full and part-time waiting staff, with the marquee providing a big boost when it opened in summer 2021.
The replacement outdoor area, which would cost £30,000 to assemble, would be table service only.
That would require “around 30 bar staff” on Friday and Saturday nights.
The extra dining covers would also mean an additional three chefs and three members of housekeeping workers are needed.
But the owners caution that, if they have to go without any form of marquee, they will be required “to let a considerable number of staff go”.
Will there be a wider economic impact?
Dutch Mill bosses say they spend “tens of thousands” on local produce every month.
If the marquee is gone then there will be “approximately half the supplies required”.
There is also a warning about the impact on local United Supplies, which provides its wine.
Planning papers say: “The drinks order would reduce significantly, with a detrimental impact on that company.”
And they add: “The patrons using the marquee also generate business for local taxi firms, especially at the weekend.”
Why the need for a Dutch Mill marquee?
The company says retaining a marquee will “allow the business to steadily recover from the negative impacts of the pandemic”.
It’s also presented as something of a safety net, allowing some “certainty” even if social distancing measures ever make an unwelcome return.
They add such a prospect “appears quite possible” following the spike in Omicron cases about a year ago.
And bosses say some customers now prefer to sit outside “wherever possible”.
What will the difference be in the new marquee?
The replacement would be 15m by 15m, rather than the current structure which measures 21m by 15m.
The newly proposed structure would be designed to fit in more alongside the C-listed hotel.
The architects say it would be “of a much higher quality appearance than the previous marquee”, with black panels rather than the current white.
New trees would also be placed in planters along the perimeter, obscuring the structure.
And it would be a few feet back from the wall.
Do you think the council was right to demand its removal? Let us know in our comments section below
But what about the noise?
The Dutch Mill intends to install eight speakers across the replacement for “occasional” live sporting events and music.
But the volume would be kept low, in accordance with a recent council ruling.
And what about parking?
The marquee would result in the loss of 15 spaces, but other spaces would remain available.
You can see the plans here.
This summer the owners of the nearby No 10 restaurant had some harsh words for the council when ordered to take down its marquee.
Conversation