BaxterStorey to take over restaurant opened by King Charles

BaxterStorey is to take over running the Royal Deeside restaurant Rothesay Rooms, which was first opened by King Charles in 2015.

The King, who was then Prince of Wales, established the restaurant as a pop-up inside Ballater's Old Royal Station and the Prince's Foundation refurbished the site.

It was part of the educational charity's efforts to attract tourism and build jobs in the village immediately after it had been damaged by flooding and fire in 2015.

Head chef Ross Cochrane and general manager Carolina Cochrane have been overseeing Rothesay Rooms, ensuring that profits generated by the restaurant are donated back to the Prince's Foundation.

However, Gordon Neil, executive director of the Prince's Foundation, said that the challenges presented by the pandemic and its "acute impact on the hospitality industry" had led the charitable organisation to consider whether it was "best-placed to build on the significant success of what was originally intended to be a pop-up establishment".

The foundation will honour all bookings and continue to run the restaurant until 31 December, after which BaxterStorey will take over.

Neil added: "From discussions with BaxterStorey in recent months, it has become clear that Rothesay Rooms staff and customers are in the best possible hands, and we look forward to seeing how the restaurant can continue to grow from strength to strength in a very special part of Scotland."

Under BaxterStorey, staff will continue in their roles, but there will be a review of the food and drink offering, as well as opening hours.

Jeremy Wood, managing director for BaxterStorey Scotland, said: "Rothesay Rooms is one of Royal Deeside's most revered restaurants and it's a privilege to be a part of its future.

"We look forward to working with Ross, Carolina and their team to develop a menu which celebrates the best in Scottish produce and continues to be at the heart of the community".

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