News / Diner and pizzeria to open in Yell
A NEW restaurant and pizzeria is set to open in the North Isles next week as part of a redevelopment of Yell’s old junior high school.
L J’s Diner and Pizzeria will open its doors to the public on Monday following a preview event on Sunday.
The venture is the first stage in a redevelopment of the old Mid Yell junior high school, with a ten-bedroom hotel due to follow.
Completing the development, which is led by local company Triton Developments, will be five flats.
The restaurant will employ eight people and its range of dishes will include steak, three bean chilli and burgers.
Set to be popular is the variety of pizzas, with toppings such as pulled pork and vegetable feast on the menu.
It will be open in the school’s former arts department from 8am to 8pm, with weekends due to be open one hour longer.
There will be seating for up to 44 people, while an outside area will fit 24 guests.
Triton Developments’ Jan Williamson said the company’s members has a background in hospitality and catering.
The project is set to provide a small employment boost for the island, with teenagers set to be given a chance to learn the ropes.
“It’s especially good for youngsters – they can get their first job as well and as well as some training,” Williamson said.
“Hopefully it will enhance Yell and people might stay there instead of racing through to Unst.
“It’s also about giving something to the locals as well, so they’ve got somewhere to go.”
Also involved in the project are two local entrepreneurs, Eddie Couper and his partner Hazel Wiggins.
The following stage in the redevelopment process will be fine-tuning the planning for the hotel, which has already been approved.
Williamson said the timespan for the ten-bedroom development could be “two to three years”.
The hotel is set to have its own restaurant, which will focus more on “fine-dining” for guests.
The large building has been empty since the new school was opened in 2010.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.