Alcohol licences sought at Westings Inn and Fair Isle Bird Observatory
IT COULD be three cheers at The Westings Inn in Whiteness and the Fair Isle Bird Observatory shortly after licences to sell alcohol were submitted.
Alcohol could be sold for both on and off-site consumption from the new bird observatory in Fair Isle, which is expected to open soon, if approved.
The Westings is also expected to open its bar for the first time under its new owners in the coming weeks, with alcohol only available on site.
Patrons visiting the bird observatory would be able to drink between 12pm and 1am every day, with alcohol available to purchase to take away from the observatory between 12pm and 10pm.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory said in its application that it would be closed for guests and visitors between November and February every year.
It said there would be no set hours when alcohol would be sold at these times, by there could be “ad-hoc events”, meetings or community functions when it was re-opened.
“During these events alcohol will be sold for consumption on the premises within licensed hours,” it added.
Live music performances could also be held at the observatory, it said, with outdoor drinking facilities also set to be provided.
The Westings Inn is also set to reopen its bar in the coming weeks, with a licence to sell alcohol from 10am to 1am every day sought.
It could also be closed over the winter “if the premises is quiet”, co-owner Tom Sutherland said.
That would likely mean the seven-bedroom hotel being closed from October to April.
Live music could also become a feature at the Westings, he said in his submission to Shetland Islands Council, with the building having a capacity for 50 people.
Co-owners David and Tom Sutherland took over the dormant Westings one year ago and have since reopened it as a hotel.
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Its café and bar are set to open again to the public in the coming weeks, with staff being sought.
Fair Isle Bird Observatory Trust recently appointed Alex Penn as its head of ornithology and Jonnie Fisk as hospitality manager as the observatory nears opening.
Both will be based in the observatory building, which is being rebuilt following a devastating fire in 2019.
Once it opens the new observatory will offer full board en‐suite accommodation and facilities for up to 35 visitors.
Meanwhile Lerwick Distillery in the town’s Market Street also recently applied for a change of licence in order to sell alcohol later.
It has asked to be able to sell alcohol on and off-site until 9pm each day, with its current licence only until 7pm.
It comes as the distillery looks to be able to host whisky tasting sessions later at night.
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