Moray business owners defend coastal takeaway
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A MORAY business has defended its recently opened coastal takeaway after yesterday's Scottish Government Phase 2 announcement dashed hopes for local cafés, restaurants and pubs.
The Bootleggers Bothy takeaway on the shoreside at Hopeman was opened on May 28 by the owners of Burghead's Bothy Bistro, Ruth and Barry Scott, as a diversification to survive Covid-19.
The Covid-compliant outdoor kitchen, next to the West Beach Caravan Park which the couple also own, served more than 5000 people in its first fortnight.
Mr and Mrs Scott today felt moved to issue a post on social media defending its right to be open in response to concerns and questions aired by some locals and businesses.
In the statement they said: "The Bootleggers Bothy isn’t open due to bribery, corruption, double standards, back-handers or any other unsavoury reason.
"Bootleggers is ‘allowed’ to be open because it’s a takeaway."
They pointed out that the picnic benches on the site belong to the West Beach Caravan Park – a "separate business".
They added: "This is a difficult and frustrating time for us all but please be assured we aren’t doing anything wrong. Everyone and their granny has been out to do an inspection and Bootleggers has been found to comply."
Moray Council has said the business was operating within the phase one rules.
