Radical expansion plans for the Highlands’ main shopping complex took a huge leap forward yesterday with approval for a dramatic new rooftop restaurant and bar.
Others are proposed for the Eastgate but councillors recently slowed an extension of eateries into adjoining Falcon Square by ordering developers to rethink the design of a larger Filling Station restaurant.
There was no such hesitancy in approving the new rooftop restaurant and bar that will give diners stunning views across the city.
Members of the south planning committee chewed things over for barely 90 seconds before placing their order.
Opposition SNP group deputy leader Richard Laird considered it an “interesting development and investment that would be welcomed by most members of the public.”
He said: “I suspect it will change the dynamic for businesses in the city centre which are not in the Eastgate Centre and I’m surprised we don’t have comment from, for example, the city centre business improvement district (Bid initiative) on that. But I’ve nothing I want to raise.
“I think it’s something that’s welcome.”
Fellow city councillor Thomas Prag echoed that saying his initial reservations about a simple glass frontage had been allayed.
“In fact, particularly at night, that will lift the building quite a bit because there’ll be light inside and I think that help the whole atmosphere of that square at night and with the restaurants beneath there will be a lot more life to the place,” he said.
The development, proposed by the Eastgate Unit Trust, is part of a package of proposals submitted in recent months which will also include a change of use of the existing Laura Ashley building into a restaurant.
