In October 2006, Fennel Restaurant on Burn Lane opened.  The building, on the old Garioch Blinds site, was an empty shell when the project first began.

 

It was early 2005 when we were first shown the site, in the centre of Inverurie.  Built with the intention of use as a retail unit the building needed extensive design work and imagination to create what is it today.  With David Gauld of Ron Shanks Associates, architects, we designed Fennel.

 

We are very proud of what we have achieved – it now almost feels that the building was built for the purpose.  On entering the downstairs gallery restaurant your eye is lead past the relaxed leather sofas and glass coffee tables to the informal seating surrounded by contemporary artwork.  The glass front of the restaurant lets in a tremendous amount of light and adds to the sense of space.

 

On going upstairs to the a la carte restaurant, the most noticeable feature is the stylish gas fire which is built into the wall.  The dining area is light and airy, with a minimal style of decoration and furnishing.  It is, we believe, the perfect venue for a fine-dining experience. The view from the windows is not all the rolling countryside traditionally associated with an Aberdeenshire restaurant but takes in the bustling scene of Inverurie centre. A leap to the present has seen the Burn Lane building transformed into a chic urban restaurant, “Inverurie is a growing, cosmopolitan town and we hope that Fennel has added another option for people living in or visiting the town," - William Bird, owner.