This was a good example of a ground-roots campaign to save a much loved local music venue. Plans had been lodged with Highland Council to redevelop the site into a new hotel and it is still rumbling on to this day. Quite why another city centre site could not be found escapes me but I suppose that is how it goes eh?

Support grows for music venue under threat from hotel plan

MOMENTUM is growing against a proposal to demolish a leading city arts venue, with more than 3000 people signing two petitions against the move.

Last week it was revealed that a preliminary plan has been lodged with Highland Council to create a new 162-bedroom Courtyard by Marriott hotel off Academy Street that would require demolition of the Ironworks music and entertainment venue.

Spearheaded by London-based development company Bricks Capital the proposal is due to be considered by the council’s south planning applications committee tomorrow.

When the news broke last week music fans were quick to voice their concerns that the loss of the Ironworks would leave a massive hole in the city’s cultural scene.

Two online petitions have since been launched – at Change.org and 38 Degrees – which by lunchtime yesterday had gathered almost 3500 signatures between them.

Former programmer and marketing officer for the Ironworks Dougie Brown, who is now part of the team producing the Belladrum festival, said: “The loss of the Ironworks is a massive cultural blow to the area.

“It is the only purpose-built music venue in the whole of the Highlands and it’s going to be a huge loss as Inverness doesn’t have a large amount of music venues.

“A lot are bars where you have to be 18 to get into them, so where does anyone under 18 – the next generation of young musicians – go to get their inspiration from?

“For a city the size of Inverness not to have a dedicated music venue is quite an unbelievable thought, really.”

Jo MacGregor who, with husband Bruce, runs MacGregor’s Bar across the road from the Ironworks, said people visiting the city to attend gigs provide a welcome boost for surrounding bars and restaurants.

“The Ironworks is incredibly important and it is important that we have a venue that is a presence in the city centre,” she said.

“It is important for bands to have a place to play. I think the level of support is great, the more people who make their feelings heard the better.

Husband Bruce, who also plays with leading Scottish traditional band Blazin Fiddles, added: “As a musician myself I know how important it is for people to support live music and live music venues.”

And Inverness-based children’s author Barbara Henderson, who writes the Artyness cultural comment column for the Courier’s Seven Days arts section said: “As a venue the Ironworks does what no other venue in Inverness can do. I’d say it’s important to retain it.”

Eden Court chief executive James Mackenzie-Blackman was determinedly optimistic when he addressed the news online, sharing concerns but adding that in his opinion Inverness needs both more hotels and a “thriving cultural sector.”

In apparent reference to remarks from Ironworks director Caroline Campbell reported in the Inverness Courier last week that future options are being looked at, he added: “It sounds, convincingly, like this isn’t the end. We should trust those words and see what unfolds.”

Since opening 13 years ago the Ironworks has become an Inverness institution.

Among bands to have played there are household names such as Kasabian, Runrig, Van Morrison, Babyshambles, The Wombats, The Charlatans and Biffy Clyro.

No-one from Bricks Capital was available for comment on the petitions yesterday before the Courier went to press.

Last week the firm’s managing director for hotels development, Allan Davidson, said the new hotel would bring 50 jobs to the city and insisted demolition of the Ironworks was “speculative”, though it clearly lies within the area marked for the hotel as part of current plans.

From the Inverness Courier on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

Ironworks’ fate will be decided in three months

A DECISION over the future of Inverness music and entertainment venue The Ironworks could be taken in November. 

On Wednesday, members of Highland Council’s south planning applications committee discussed a proposal of application notice (PAN) submitted by Bricks Capital, proposing the building of a 162-bedroom hotel in the city centre. 

However, as the Courier previously reported, if the application is successful it could see the Ironworks demolished to make way for the new development. 

At Wednesday’s meeting, Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird said: “I would also like to hear how the proposal here, with the suggestion of demolishing the Ironworks music venue, sits with the city centre development briefs with stated priorities making this city not just a place to visit, but a great place to live.” 

Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie added: “With this one, obviously there has been a huge amount of public emotion about the demolition of the Ironworks, which is a fairly important city centre venue.” 

Speaking after the meeting, a spokesman for London-based Bricks Capital said: “The planning application will not be considered until November – it is still at the pre-planning stage.”

From the Inverness Courier on  Friday, August 9, 2019.

Ironworks hotel plan discussed

A DECISION over the future of Inverness music and entertainment venue The Ironworks could be taken in November.

Last week members of Highland Council’s south planning applications committee discussed a proposal of application notice (PAN) submitted by Bricks Capital, proposing the building of a 162-bedroom hotel in the city centre.

If a full planning application, yet to be submitted, is successful it could see The Ironworks, in the city centre’s Academy Street, demolished to make way for the new development. 

The hotel is proposed for a site off Rose Street which is currently empty but would front onto Academy Street.

At the planning meeting last Wednesday, Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird said: “I would also like to hear how the proposal here, with the suggestion of demolishing the Ironworks music venue, sits with the city centre development briefs with stated priorities making this city not just a place to visit, but a great place to live.”

Inverness South councillor Andrew Jarvie added: “With this one, obviously there has been a huge amount of public emotion about the demolition of the Ironworks, which is a fairly important city centre venue.”

Speaking after the meeting, a spokesman for London-based Bricks Capital said: “The planning application will not be considered until November – it is still at the pre-planning stage.”

The company’s managing director for hotel development, Allan Davidson, previously said the plans for the Courtyard by Marriott-branded hotel would create 50 jobs once it is opened.

“We are looking forward to being part of the regeneration of Academy Street and making it a vital part of the city again,” he said.

Mr Davidson, a former local businessman who was previously manager of the Mercury and Caley Hotel in Inverness, now the Mercure, added that the demolition of the Ironworks venue was “speculative” at this stage.

More than 6000 names have so far been added to two online petitions opposing the plans for the site, at websites change.org and 38 Degrees.

The change.org petition has now been submitted to Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird, Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson and director of development and infrastructure Stuart Black.

The petition’s creartor, Alness resident Matt Cooper, said: “Thank you everyone for signing and commenting. Here’s hoping we make an impact.”

From the  Highland News on Thursday, August 15, 2019.

A year to find a new home

Music venue will have to relocate if hotel gets go-ahead

THE Ironworks will be given 12 months to find a new home if hotel plans for the site are approved.

After the outcry that followed the revelation that plans are to be lodged to build a new 162-bedroom Courtyard by Marriott hotel on a site that includes the city centre music venue, developers have insisted they want to give the venue as much time as possible to relocate.

A proposal of application notice (PAN) has already been submitted to the council, including proposals for a public consultation event to be held at the Mercure Hotel, Church Street from 2-8pm on Thursday, September 19.

A full planning application is expected to follow, with a decision potentially being made in December.

The proposals come from London-based development company Bricks Capital whose managing director, Alan Davidson, is a former Inverness resident who started out working in the city’s hotel trade.

“As an Invernessian, I am delighted at the opportunity to open a hotel in my home city,” he said.

“I’ll be overseeing the construction and operation when the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel opens in summer 2021.”

Mr Davidson was business development manager of Inverness’s former Caledonian Hotel, which is now the Mercure.

He said: “I started as the kitchen porter in the old Mercury Hotel and later I believe I was the last wine waiter the Caledonian Hotel had.”

He confirmed that the operator of the Ironworks venue has signed a legal agreement with the building’s owner accepting notice to vacate if/ when the hotel receives planning consent.

But Mr Davidson said there will be no urgent need for the venue to close even in the event of that happening.

“Site testing works can take place while the Ironworks is still open – and we’re keen for the venue to host music events for as long as possible,” he said.

Speaking exclusively to the Courier Mr Davidson said discussions with council planning officers about the hotel had begun in January and the firm had responded positively to feedback it had already received.

Two online petitions set up to save the Ironworks after the plans were announced have now garnered more than 7000 signatures between them.

A petition run on the change.org site has already been submitted to Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird, Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson and director of development and infrastructure Stuart Black, but is still being signed by concerned music lovers.

Bruce MacGregor, who runs MacGregor’s bar across the road from the 1000 capacity venue and plays with the band Blazin’ Fiddles, said it would be a real shame if the venue was lost.

He added: “I suppose the question is how to find another venue and is it going to be in the city centre? What capacity would it be?

“Twelve months is not a lot of time to make it seamless – a lot of acts are putting their tours together at least 12 months in advance. It will be a shame to see it go.

“You want Inverness to be one of those places where bands on their way up are able to play.”

He said the level of support against the demolition was good but also questioned how many of the people who had signed the petitions actually attended gigs there regularly.

He added: “The problem with the Ironworks is it is a desirable site for a hotel.

“We need a range of venues in any city. If the Ironworks does go we need people supporting the new venue, whatever they manage to get.”

From the Inverness Courier on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Hotel plans to go on show

DEVELOPERS have claimed a proposed Inverness hotel could attract up to 100,000 guests a year.

Plans for the Academy Street development – which would require the Ironworks venue in the city centre to be demolished – will be open for public scrutiny at the Mercure Hotel, Church Street today from 2-8pm.

Former Runrig frontman Donnie Munro has thrown his weight behind the fight to save the Ironworks by backing Highlands and Islands Labour MSP David Stewart’s campaign to find new premises for the venue.

An online petition by Mr Stewart has so far collected more than 2200 signatures, adding to more than 6000 names across two other concurrent campaigns against the hotel plan.

Plans for the new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel have been submitted by development firm Bricks Capital Hotels, which says it would play a key role in breathing new life into Academy Street.

Pre-application discussions with Highland Council planners have taken place.

Bricks Capital Hotels managing director Allan Davidson, who is originally from Inverness, said one of the main reasons for looking at the Highland capital for the development was the fact it had been named Scotland’s top hotspot for the scale of new hotel opportunities it offers by commercial property experts Colliers International, beating even Edinburgh.

Colliers said Inverness offers much better value for money than the Scottish capital.

He said the 162-bedroom hotel could cater for up to 100,000 guests annually – providing a major economic boost for the city centre.

He added: “We have held a very detailed pre-application meeting with planning officials and outlined how our hotel can contribute to the council’s plans to regenerate Academy Street.

“The outcome of the discussions has left us in positive mood that we will receive a very fair hearing when the application is considered at the December meeting of the planning committee. I’m delighted at the prospect of benefitting my home city in this way.”

Mr Stewart is due to meet Scotland’s culture secretary Fiona Hyslop later this month after asking for government help to find the Ironworks a new home.

“The planning process is progressing and time is of the essence,” he said. “We need to pull out the stops and everyone needs to get their heads together to save the Ironworks.”

From the Highland News on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

Venue offered helping hand

DEVELOPERS behind a scheme to build a 162- bedroom hotel in the heart of Inverness have offered to help proprietors of the Ironworks find a new site.

The Academy Street venue currently occupies part of a site which, if permission is granted by Highland Council in December, would see it demolished to make way for the new development.

Allan Davidson, the managing director of London-based Bricks Capital Hotels, was speaking ahead of a public consultation.

Mr Davidson said it would be a positive outcome if a site for a new major entertainment venue could be found in the city. He added: “If a business plan was put forward we can help with that – we are happy to help.

“We are happy to have a conversation to see how we can support them.”

When the news first broke that the Ironworks could be demolished to make way for the proposed hotel development it sparked a backlash of objection from those opposed to the plan.

Mr Davidson, who is originally from Inverness, said he got the point that there was a a lot of support for venues like the Ironworks and added: “We don’t own the Ironworks, we will never own the Ironworks, we will buy a vacant site.”

He said the hotel could attract up to 100,000 guests each year which it is hoped would play a key role in breathing new life into Academy Street.

Talks with Highland Council planning officers started in January and feedback has helped to shape the current design of the proposed hotel.

Mr Davidson said comments from yesterday’s consultation would also help with the final application presented to December’s committee meeting.

From the  Inverness Courier on Friday, September 20, 2019.