The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Plans to add some Cheers
Hospitality: Pub owner hoping to turn former toy shop into cocktail bar
A former toy shop in a north-east town centre could be transformed into a cocktail bar under plans to expand a popular pub.
The owner of Cheers Bar in Fraserburgh has unveiled his vision to breathe new life into the former Toymaster store which served generations of children on the town’s High Street until it closed several years ago.
Dennis Forsyth bought the disused shop after it shut and now wants to turn it into a cafe, wine and cocktail bar with a whisky and gin tasting area upstairs.
He also hopes to run cocktail classes on the first floor, and have space for a “gin distillery”.
The High Street shop would link with Cheers, which is located behind it on Broad Street, via a beer garden between the two buildings.
Despite not having formally submitted a planning application with the council yet, Mr Forsyth revealed his plans to cheer people up.
He said: “It’s really up in the air at the moment, but hopefully it’ll get the go-ahead.
“We are hoping to develop the rest of Cheers so that it’s a big function area accessible from both sides.
“We envisage music festivals with bands playing in the function area, main bar and new outdoor area,” he said.
“There could also be gin fairs and local produce markets, as well as fun days with bucking broncos and bouncy castles.”
If the plans proceed, the venue capacity would be close to 800 people.
This would allow the staff to cater for multiple buses of people coming to see attractions in the town.
The project has already been given assistance from an Aberdeenshire Council conservation grant as part of Fraserburgh Regeneration 2021 to help with phase one of the ambitious project, improving the exterior of the building.
The other phases include rebuilding the inside, creating the outdoor area and rebuilding the function area at the rear of Cheers.
Mr Forsyth said: “We realise it’s a big venue.
“However, we see it as a social hub and not just a pub – somewhere that offers something for everyone.”
“We are located in the town centre and believe if we can attract large numbers of people to our venue then it will also be a benefit to other businesses in the area,” Mr Forsyth added.
The Toymaster shop site was previously run as The Lite Bite Cafe.