Golspie businessman moves to calm fears over planned new coffee roasting unit
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A GOLSPIE businessman who hopes to convert a former computer shop in the village into a new coffee roasting and retail unit has responded to concerns over the environmental impacts of the roasting process.
Tony Bowes has been running the Coffee Bothy in nearby Fountain Road for 14 years, and is keen to expand the business by roasting his own unique blend of coffee and offering it for sale.
The proposed coffee roasting and retail unit on Main Street would be run alongside the cafe.
Mr Bowes said: “At the moment, we buy our coffee in from a company already roasted, and ready to roll. The whole point of the new unit would be to roast our own coffee, and to make our own blend with our own unique flavours.
Related: Change of use plans for coffee roasting unit met with objection
“We want to roast a unique blend of coffee that you can only get here in Golspie. If you look at coffee trends in places like Australia, this is something that is proving very popular.”
Mr Bowes has submitted an application to Highland Council to change the use of a unit on Main Street, which for many years was home to Kirkland Computer Services.
But the proposal has prompted local people to voice concern that the coffee roasting process could generate unpleasant odours. It has been pointed out that the unit is located near to residential properties and holiday lets.
One resident cited an example of another coffee roasting business based in the Highlands, stating that emissions can be “fairly unpleasant in the form of smoke, fumes, VOCs, particles and dust”.
But Mr Bowes, who says he is now discussing the issues with residents, has stated that the size of the roasting machine he is proposing is much smaller than the examples mentioned.
“It’s like comparing a juggernaut with a push bike,” he said. “We have a small machine for roasting our own unique blend of coffee, which does not actually warrant planning permission in the UK.
“We are a small-scale business looking to revive an empty unit in a busy part of the Highlands that will create a number of jobs once established.
“We hope that people will be pleased to see it filled.”
