An iconic Tayside diner, home to arguably the nation’s favourite bacon butty, has won crucial council backing for a £1 million relocation.
The Horn Milk Bar, which hit headlines this week with a glamorous spread in Vogue’s September issue, will be rebuilt about 100 yards from its traditional home at Errol, between the Dundee and Perth.
The new look, modern eatery will be twice the size of the current A90 institution, opening 24 hours a day and offering a new take-away service.
The move is expected to double staffing levels.
Perth and Kinross Council has now approved planning consent which will pave the way for the historic redevelopment programme.
The ambitious plan was first considered nearly a decade ago and planning permission for an outline bid was secured in 2009.
Now Horn boss Kenny Farquarson has won backing from the development management committee to renew consent after it expired in February. He said more detailed plans will be tabled in the coming months.
He assured councillors that the project would not be delayed. “We share the frustration of the council that nothing has gone ahead so far,” he said. “There’s been various factors involved in that.”
The committee was told that the project was hit by the general economic downturn, but now developers were now raring to go.
He said: “Obviously, the catalyst for all of this is to relocate The Horn. On a personal level, myself and my family just really want to push this whole thing forward.
“We are serious about the whole thing. Circumstances changed over the years. We’re not the only ones in roadside services that have had difficulties, but we’ve always felt that the Horn is offering something that’s a bit different to everyone else.
“We still feel confident that this will make the Horn bigger and better.”
He said: “We’ve got a situation where the existing business is running along nicely, but we are not naive enough not to think we don’t have to bring the facilities up to date.
“The existing building was built in 1975 and you have to bring yourselves up to the 21st Century. You can’t keep going on your reputation.
“Otherwise, if you lose focus on what you’re doing, take you’re eye off the ball, then you’re in trouble.”
The Horn currently caters for 84 diners, but the new building will have room for about 160.
And Mr Farquharson has confirmed that the landmark cow sculpture, which stands proudly on the roof, will also be moved.
The Horn opened in 1960 as a simple, tartan-themed shed selling home-grown farm produce.
It has grown over the decades as a favourite stopping-off point, particularly with families and football fans travelling between Aberdeen and the central belt.
It recently featured in a photoshoot for fashion bible Vogue, with world famous model Edie Campbell.
