Greens of Tain have Dornoch's Courtroom restaurant all locked up. Popular eatery set to reopen early next year
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A DORNOCH restaurant which has been closed for the best part of the year, is set to reopen under new management.
The well-established Greens Restaurant, Tain, is expanding to take over the running of the Courtroom restaurant at the Carnegie Courthouse at the start of 2023.
The move is set to delight local residents and visitors alike, who have found the closure of the popular eating place a loss.
And it will also bring a welcome employment boost to the town with around 15 jobs expected to be created.
Laura Dundas, founder and operator of Greens, said she had been encouraged to move into Dornoch by Todd Warnock, owner of the Carnegie Courthouse, and a frequent customer at Greens.
Entrepreneur Mr Warnock was behind the development of the Carnegie Courthouse, which as well as the restaurant on the first floor, accommodates the Carnegie Whisky Cellars and Aspen Spa.
The Courtroom – now to be called Greens at the Courthouse – was previously the sister restaurant of Links House at Royal Dornoch, also owned by Mr Warnock.
Mrs Dundas has a 25-year background in the catering and hospitality business, originally opening Greens Restaurant at Tain Golf Club in 2004.
She later moved the business to 20-seat premises in Market Street, Tain; and from there to a larger unit – a former flower shop on Tain High Street.
Greens at Tain has since gone from strength to strength and established a well-deserved reputation for top-quality cuisine.
Mrs Dundas said: “I am passionate about using the best of Scottish produce from seafood, game, meat, seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables to the very best of local beers, gins, whiskies and cocktails while recognising the continual need to invest in staff training.”
She also runs an outside catering company, Greens on the Go, and currently employs a staff of around 20.
“Over the years I have been fortunate to keep a core of staff and I look forward to being able to expand recruitment and build a core of staff in the new restaurant,” she said.
She will take over the lease of the restaurant at the Courthouse in January but will initially be undertaking staff training with a view to opening in the middle of February in time for Valentine’s Day.
Greens at the Courthouse will offer morning coffee with homebaking, lunch and evening meals.
“We will be looking to recruit up to 15 staff members so that when the summer season starts, we will be able to open during the day and evenings, seven days a week,” said Mrs Dundas.
“We will be recruiting for all departments – kitchen, front of house and bar. Anyone who wishes to apply or who would like further information should email: enquiries@greensrestaurant-tain.co.uk
Phil Scott, managing director of Links House and the Carnegie Courthouse, has worked with Mrs Dundas to support her and her team with the takeover.
He said: “Laura and her fantastic team at Greens have an outstanding reputation and a proven restaurant concept that will be a huge boost for our town.
“It brings a sense of pride, for myself and the Links House team, to facilitate this for both local patrons and visiting guests to our corner of east Sutherland.”
Todd Warnock said: “I’ve always envisioned The Carnegie Courthouse as the heart of our lovely town, bringing us together.
“We’re excited that Laura and her team will return the magic to the historic courtroom. I’m so pleased Phil and Laura have crafted such a clever outcome.”
