Venue’s last dance, BP profits and bye to Burt

FINAL CURTAIN

An iconic venue in Inverness bowed out of the city’s music scene as The Ironworks closed its doors for the final time last weekend.

Bricks Capital had been trying to build a Courtyard by Marriott hotel in its place since 2020 and finally succeeded in August last year when Highland Council’s south planning committee agreed to approve its plans.

Highland band Elephant Sessions were the final act to take to the stage before the muchloved venue is knocked down to be turned into a 155-bed hotel.

LOST AT A STROKE

It has been valued at £13 million and hasn’t been seen in more than 100 years, but the tale of the lost masterpiece Pool Of Bethesda isn’t a sketch from a film or TV show.

The painting by Paolo Veronese was last seen in the north-east in the Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead.

It measures 6ft by 12ft so is difficult to miss, but one year on since a hunt was launched to find it and the disappearance of the painting remains unsolved.

LOOK WHO’S BACK

Liz Truss admitted what everyone else has known for months. The former prime minister, who lasted a mere six weeks in the job, gave her first interview since resigning.

In a major case of stating the obvious, she conceded that her plan to abolish the 45p top rate of income tax had been a “bridge too far”.

She also said she had maybe been “trying to fatten the pig on market day” before saying she had no regrets over going for the top job.

She’s maybe one of the few who see it that way.

SUNAK SHAKE-UP

Moving on from Truss to her successor who carried out a cabinet reshuffle just days after he passed the 100 days in office mark. It was also hot on the heels of the departure of Nadhim Zahawi. Though controversial figures such as Suella Braverman and Dominic Raab have remained in their roles.

As part of Rishi Sunak’s shake-up, four new government departments have been created as part of a bid to boost economic growth and tackle the energy crisis.

Only time will tell if Rishi’s reshuffle will be effective or an empty gesture.

RECORD PROFITS

BP revealed it made a record £23 billion in profits in its 2022 results.

However, the energy giant was quick to point out that £12.6bn of taxes paid globally were “the highest annual total it has seen”.

It also said its North Sea business, which it said accounts for less than 10% of global profits, has paid out £1.8bn in tax, including £581.3 million for the UK Government’s windfall tax.

GRANITE SMILE?

Hopes are high that Aberdeen’s Granite Mile will sparkle once more. A survey revealed a drop in the number of vacant units on Union Street. The snapshot study showed there were four fewer empty shops than in August last year. While it is a small step, it is surely a bit of positive news for the embattled high street.

ZELENSKY VISIT

Volodymyr Zelensky, above, paid a visit to the UK – his first since Russia invaded Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president was pictured outside 10 Downing Street with Rishi Sunak and later gave a historic address to MPs in Westminster Hall.

Praise and Boris Johnson don’t often go together – but during Zelensky’s emotive speech he said the former PM had “got others united” when it had seemed “impossible”.

DEATH OF A LEGEND

Legendary composer Burt Bacharach, below, passed away at the age of 94. The man behind classic songs such as I Say A Little Prayer and Walk On By died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles.

He has been hailed as one of pop music’s greatest songwriters and wrote for stars such as Cilla Black and Tom Jones.

QUAKE DASH

The devastating earthquake which struck Syria and Turkey has resulted in a death toll of more than 22,000.

In the north-east, three firefighters have made a mercy dash as part of a UK search-and-rescue team who are attempting to find survivors.

Tony Armstrong and Keith Gauld, both from the North Anderson Drive fire station in Aberdeen, plus Portlethen Watch Commander John Aitchison, joined 74 fellow British experts as part of the international aid effort.

BROCH ON THE MENU

Fraserburgh is set for a starring role on television. Delicacies from the Broch will feature in the second episode of BBC Scotland’s Eat The Town.

Seafood, a macaroni pie and Cajun chicken were on the menu when the show’s presenters visited the town. Sounds like a recipe for success!