SIX jobs will be created with the re-opening of a Fort William pub which shut last year after it was hit by the ban on smoking.
Last orders were called on the Station Bar on Middle Street last year and former landlord Alasdair Fraser said the business had struggled following the introduction of the smoking ban in 2006.
However, the Highland Licensing Board this week granted a premises licence to Dale Monk, who already runs the Crofter Bar and Restaurant and the Maryburgh Inn on the town’s High Street.
Mr Monk intends to employ three full-time and three part-time staff when the bar re-opens.
But High Street resident High Fitzsimons objected and claimed there would be too much noise from the premises and said the town centre already had enough pubs.
Board member and Lochaber Provost Councillor Allan Henderson welcomed the bar’s reopening and said it had been a well-run establishment in the past.
Mr Fraser had managed the pub for almost 19 years with wife Sandra but said a five-year downturn as a result of customers being unable to smoke inside the bar, the recession and low alcohol prices in supermarkets had forced the closure.
Hundreds of people disappointed with the closure shared their memories of the bar on two Facebook tribute sites afterwards.
Earlier this year Mr Monk failed in a bid his bid to sell booze to punters from 9am at the Crofter after the board poured cold water on claims tourists would relish a drink with their breakfast.
