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Councillors grant more time to demolish Ironworks music venue

Olivia Andrews The Ironworks is a two-storey, white walled building close to a junction box on a road. It has a row of narrow windows and Olivia Andrews
Ironworks was closed down in February 2023

Developers have been given more time to demolish the Ironworks venue in Inverness - more than three years after it was shut down.

Ironworks was the city's only purpose-built entertainment venue of its kind and Calvin Harris, Biffy Clyro and Babyshambles were among the acts to perform there.

It was closed in February 2023 and the owners planned to redevelop the Academy Street plot. Planning permission had been secured for a hotel.

Upland Properties Limited's request for another three years to start the project was approved by Highland councillors on Tuesday.

Planning permission was granted for a 155-bedroom hotel on the site, but no work has started and the music venue has still to be pulled down.

Councillors on Highland Council's south planning applications committee agreed to a three-year extension.

Scottish Conservative councillor Isabelle MacKenzie called the empty site a "blot" in the city and "detrimental" to everything else that was going on around it.

"It is not doing us any favours," she said.

A planning officer said there was interest in the site and talks were at an "advanced stage".

Labour councillor Michael Gregson had proposed setting a limit of just one further year on the plans, but after a discussion he later withdrew his motion.

SNP councillor Ken Gowns agreed to grant the three-year extension, but added that it was with a "great deal of reluctance".

Upland Properties Limited now have until 2028 to get the development project started.

Getty Images Twin Atlantic frontman Sam McTrusty, pictured at the Y Not Festival in 2023, is standing on a stage with a guitar slung over his shoulders and his arms raised. The musician is bathed in a red glow.Getty Images
Twin Atlantic were one of the last bands to play at Ironworks before it was closed in February 2023

Two final sold-out shows were held to mark Ironworks' last days.

Glasgow alternative rockers Twin Atlantic headlined the first of the gigs, and Highland-based indie folk band Elephant Sessions performed the following night's show.

Both acts have close links to Ironworks, with Twin Atlantic making their 13th appearance.