Cromarty Slaughterhouse Coffee set to close after owner announces failed sale
A popular seafront cafe on the Black Isle is set to close doors at the end of March, after attempts to sell the business fell through.
The owner of Slaughterhouse Coffee in Cromarty, Laura Thompson, had announced in January that she was “ready to pass the baton on” and step down from her role at the cafe, with the hope to find new owners to take the helm of the popular local business.
However in a post shared on the cafe’s Facebook page yesterday, she announced that a sale with potential new owners had fallen through last week and that the cafe will be permanently closed after March 30.
“It is with the heaviest heart that I must share this post with the world, as I hoped with every ounce of me that it would not come to this,” she wrote.
“Unfortunately, the business sale fell through last week. There has been so much to consider but due to a variety of reasons, I have made the difficult decision to permanently close the doors of Slaughterhouse Coffee.
“Please come visit for one last coffee if you can. It’s always sad when something ends but let’s focus on what an incredible space the Slaughterhouse has been and celebrate it as much as we can in the time that is left.
“And who knows, maybe it will pop up somewhere else in the world one day!”
Ms Thompson took over the cafe in July 2020 from the previous owners, Vandyke Brothers.
Withstanding the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic, the cafe was popular among locals and tourists alike.
The news of the closure prompted a series of heartfelt messages saddened by the loss of a local “gem” and “heart of the community”.
Black Isle councillor Sarah Atkin commented: “What sad news to wake up to. The reputation of Slaughterhouse Coffee spread far and wide. A special place. It will be so missed. Good luck for all your futures ventures and adventures.”
