Business / Westings Inn set to be relaunched with cafe bar and accommodation
A NEW future beckons for the Westings Inn as the dormant building looks set to be relaunched as a cafe bar with accommodation.
The building, which has seven bedrooms, has been closed since the 2010s.
But the brothers who recently bought Herrislea House Hotel in nearby Tingwall – David and Tom Sutherland – have now taken on the Westings too.
The hope is that there would be a number of jobs created once it reopens.
The building sits off the road on the Wormadale hill, overlooking the fine view out to the west.
Speaking to Shetland News, David Sutherland, 30, said the plan was to keep it much the same as before – but turn the bar into a cafe bar, serving tea, coffee, homebakes and light lunches as well as alcohol.
He feels a cafe is lacking in the area and further west, particularly as the Bonhoga gallery is closed until 2025 due to refurbishment.
Sutherland, who used to work in cafes, said there was a “gap in the market”.
He acknowledges there will be a lot of work involved to get the building up to shape, including putting a new roof on, but the hope is to get it reopen some time this year.
“The idea behind this property is something for the Shetlanders to use as well,” Sutherland.
“Herrislea is kind of focused on the tourism and the buses.”
At this stage it is unclear if the campsite facilities at the Westings will be retained.
The main work on the building is set to get underway in a couple of weeks, although some inside jobs like electrics have already started.
“We’re trying to crack on as fast as we can,” Sutherland said.
He also plans to document the progress on the Westings with videos online.
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