Canadian coffee chain Tim Hortons has submitted plans to open a branch in Inverness – the first time they have looked beyond the central belt.
The company wants to open a restaurant and drive-through on a site at Telford Street Retail Park, in front of the Tapi Carpets and Flooring store. The iconic coffee chain only opened its first UK cafe in Glasgow last summer.
Inverness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stewart Nicol said it was a “really positive” development which would bring a “good handful of jobs”.
Mr Nicol also said it was very important that a major global brand which only just arrived in Scotland in the past year, had chosen the Highland capital this early on.
He added: “It’s very significant in terms of an endorsement for Inverness as a city and the wider Highland region.
“In particular for this development, it’s in a location that has been overlooked of late, so that is positive.”
A supporting statement for the new plans submitted online by Montagu Evans, on behalf of the coffee chain, states: “The development would be the first for the operator in Inverness, and indeed north of the central belt.”
There are currently eight stores in the UK – mainly in the Glasgow area – and in Ayr and Dunfermiline.
The statement said it would be a “dine in” facility and takeaway and drive through, in order to cater for demand outside the city centre. It says the premised would be within easy reach of existing retail facilities and would provide a service for workers and local residents.
The report goes on to state that although the operator is focused on developing a drive-through site in Inverness, this would not prevent them opening a town centre branch in the future, and that they are “actively looking at opportunities.”
Tim Hortons was founded in 1964 by its namesake, a top professional ice hockey player, who wanted to create a space where everyone would feel at home.
It claims nearly eight out of 10 cups of coffee sold across Canada are served at the cafes and more than 5.3 million Canadians – about 15% of the population – visit them daily.
The applicant for the proposed development in Inverness is listed as Zurich Assurance Limited, which owns the retail park site. The plans were validated by Highland Council’s planning department on April 6.
