Red repairs taking "longer than expected"

Thursday 01 October 2020

Red is set to remain closed for a while longer, with works to get the popular Town restaurant back on its feet taking longer than initially expected after a fire tore through the building earlier this year.

Both Red and its sister business, Tinto, closed in January following a kitchen fire at Red which quickly spread because of cavities in the walls.

The fire flooded the building with smoke and all customers had to be evacuated, but no one was injured.

Parts of the walls had to be torn down so the fire could be completely extinguished and the buildings were badly smoke damaged.

Pictured: Fire fighters were at the scene until 03:00 putting the fire out.

At first David Matheson, owner of the Red Group, said the two eateries would be out of action for "a few months". But, it has since become apparent that more time is needed.

"Due to the severity of the damage and covid, things have taken longer than expected," he said. "However, progress is being made and we are very hopeful that Tinto will reopen before Christmas with a brand new tapas, gin and wine list.

"Red is obviously a bigger project, but we are aiming for spring 2021."

The Red group also includes Rouge and Rosso, both of which are operating as usual.