A temporary lifeline will allow two young entrepreneurs to continue selling seafood in Ullapool in the wake of a challenge from a rival food retailer.
The fledgling Seafood Shack run by Kirsty Scobie and Fenella MacRae recently prompted a complaint from the owner of the neighbouring Gallery Cafe in the village’s West Argyle Street.
The two women previously argued that they were offering different fare from their mobile catering unit than that on offer at the cafe, while its owner Paul Eddington said he frequently changed his menu.
He subsequently closed his business after being deluged with online abuse about a “seafood war”.
Highland Council’s principal solicitor Susan Blease revealed to members of the authority’s licensing committee yesterday that the two women had “indicated a willingness to approach the district valuer to explore the possibility of going on the valuation roll for the site they currently occupy.”
Once registered, if they pay a commercial rate they would be exempt from street traders’ licensing while on the site.
Numerous other traders, particularly in central Inverness, currently operate on the same basis.
Ms Blease said: “The licence holders have asked if we could continue this hearing to give them the opportunity to explore that possibility with the district valuer and, with the committee’s approval, that’s what would happen.”
Committee chairman Ian Cockburn agreed it was “the best way at this time,” and his colleagues agreed.
The hearing was effectively deferred until August 9, but in the interim if the traders’ premises are added to the valuation roll the hearing would be cancelled.
The two traders were delighted but declined to comment further.
Mr Eddington could not be contacted yesterday. (TUES)
The council’s environmental health team has certified the mobile unit as fit for use, granting a street trader’s licence in March.
It stipulated that its operators should take care to site themselves beyond a 490ft radius.
