Eastgate centre's revamped food zone: Everything you need to know

Here's a run down of everything you need to know ahead of the opening of Eastgate Shopping Centre's new food zone tomorrow.

• £2m new-look Eastgate Shopping Centre food zone opens tomorrow

Where is it? What is it? Why is it happening?

The new-look food zone is in the same location that the previous food area was on the ground floor of the mall, near the entrance from Falcon Square.

More than £2 million has being invested in it and it will be known as Loch & Larder.

It will include Scottish Kitchen by Gary Maclean, which is a new food concept from the multi-award-winning chef.

• MasterChef winner hopes Eastgate venture keeps Scottish food traditions alive

It is further good news for city foodies, coming after the Victorian Market’s £1.6 million redevelopment of its food hall and other city centre eateries are planned, developing or recently opened.

The food zone was among the most popular areas in the city centre when KFC was part of it prior to the fast-food chain opening an outlet in Millburn Road. Several other food businesses have come and gone and the area has been used for other things including the display and sales of artwork, as well as activities for youngsters.

What does it want to achieve?

The emphasis will be on ambience and good-quality local produce with a street food twist, say representatives of the Inverness venue who refer to it as the New Food Collective.

Landlords Scoop Asset Management have invested in excess of £2 million into the redevelopment to bring it up to modern day expectations of customers.

Who will run it?

Aramark will be the company operating the partnership venture.

Mark Hewett, asset manager at Scoop Asset Management, said: "Aramark have a wealth of experience in the leisure catering industry. With their expertise, fresh concepts and ideas Loch & Larder is sure to be a great attraction, pivotal to the success of the centre."

Helen Milligan-Smith, managing director at Aramark UK said: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this New Food Collective to Eastgate and Inverness. It’s fantastic to be able to showcase some of the finest local produce that’s on offer. With our vast experience and our ability to create delicious and bespoke menus based on high-quality ingredients, partnering with Eastgate was a natural choice for us. We are proud to support this launch, offering locals and tourists a place to meet and enjoy the new food offering available.”

What more can be said about Gary Maclean?

The anchor brand will be Scottish Kitchen by Gary Maclean.

Gary Maclean is a multi-award-winning chef who was crowned Master Chef: The Professionals Champion in 2016.

Recently, he launched his own seafood restaurant within Bonnie & Wild Food Hall, inside the newly opened St James Quarter in Edinburgh.

"It is with this passion for celebrating Scotland’s larder that I am absolutely honoured to partner with Aramark in delivering something truly exceptional at Eastgate," he said. "We’ll be championing Scottish produce and creating dishes that celebrate small and independent suppliers."

What else will be there?

Other businesses involved in the venture have been revealed, with these descriptions:

• Cluck: delicious buttermilk chicken and vegan alternative served in an endless variety of ways with sides.
• Sweet Ness: ice creams, shakes and cakes. Wow factor desserts with an element of theatre and plenty of fun.
• inver mercato – Italian Deli: An Italian deli with a mouth-watering display of pizzas and daily chopped salads.
• Ness N Korma – Indian Fusion Street Food: a modern take on authentic Indian street food for every discerning spice palate.
• Fairground (opening February 27): Coffee for the socially conscious. Delicious, ethically sourced and organic coffee that helps makes a difference with every purchase.

Have there been any setbacks?

When plans were announced in August last year, it was hoped the new-look would be open before Christmas.

However, mall officials said in December that "technical issues beyond our control" would delay it to early 2023.

Also, one of the businesses has changed its name from Shakes & Cakes to Sweet Ness in order to avoid confusion with Shakes 'n' Cakes located elsewhere in Inverness.

What are the opening hours?

It is unclear whether every outlet will be open at all these times, but mall officials state Loch & Larder will be open:

• Monday 9am-5.30pm
• Tuesday 9am-5.30pm
• Wednesday 9am-5.30pm
• Thursday 9am-6pm
• Friday 9am-5.30pm
• Saturday 9am-5.30pm
• Sunday 11am-5pm

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