Mad Hatters venue at Hootananny to close?

Hootananny owner Kit Fraser has lodged an application to turn two floors of the Hootananny building – including the Mad Hatters venue – into a backpackers’ hostel.

He has cited a wave of new pubs and increased business rates as reasons for the move.

The news comes just a few months after it was revealed the Ironworks in Academy Street could come down after plans were lodged to develop a 162-bedroom hotel on the site.

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