Lucy's of Ardfern to run Ardrishaig's Steamer Terminal café
One of Argyll’s most popular cafés is to open a new venture in a much-loved building, key to the maritime heritage of Mid Argyll.
Lucy’s Ardfern café and bakery will launch a new restaurant in Ardrishaig’s Steamer Terminal, building on the café’s success which saw it reach the finals of the Scottish Food Awards in 2022.
The 19th century passenger building has played a key role in Ardrishaig and in Scotland’s sea-faring tourism for more than a hundred years but has been closed to the public since its café shut in March 2020.
But now Scottish drinks company Spectrum Spirits has taken on the lease of the Scottish Canals-owned premises and is working with the Ardfern café owner Lucy Gladstone to open a new restaurant in the venue by the end of May.
Director of Spectrum Spirits John Moore told the Advertiser he was delighted with Lucy’s involvement.
“Lucy Gladstone will operate the Steamer Terminal on our behalf. Lucy’s place at Ardern is one of the most loved places on the west coast and we have no doubt that she will be a big hit with the people of Ardrishaig.”
And Lucy explained that she and her colleagues are thrilled to be taking on this new venture and are determined that it will be locally focussed, affordable and sustainable.
“We are so excited to be opening down there,” she told the Advertiser.
“We are going to be using as many local suppliers as possible, focusing on seasonal and sustainable produce - the menu will be small and will change every four to six weeks.”
Lucy added that the Steamer Terminal will not be a carbon-copy of her Ardfern business.
“It’s going to be slightly different to the Ardfern cafe, definitely more of a restaurant and bistro serving lunch and dinner,” she said.
”We really just want it to be a warm and welcoming place to come and eat.”
However, the successful bakery aspect of the original business will play a role in the Steamer Terminal’s future.
“I also plan on having bakery pop-ups every so often but that’s a little further down the line,” Lucy added.
Despite the excitement about the new venture, the business owner is not rushing the process.
“We want to make sure we have everything in place before we open so we won’t be opening until the end of May,” Lucy explained.
“We are still finalising everything, but we just really want it to be an affordable place to get a lovely locally sourced lunch and evening meal.”
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