Pictured: Ryan Forbes is gearing up for the Beaufort Hotel’s Christmas charity weekend.
Two charities are set to benefit from a Christmas market which will showcase over 30 local businesses and welcome a visit from Father Christmas.
The Beaufort Hotel is hosting the event this weekend and it will raise funds for Mikey’s Line and MFR Cash For Kids.
Ryan Forbes, of the Culduthel Road-based hotel said:
“We are really looking forward to the market and grotto weekend.
“Events can be stressful to run at ‘normal’ times, but with the added pressure of Covid and all that entails, it adds an extra element, but we were determined to bring something festive and fun and it’s shaping up to be just that.
“It’s also the first time we have done a Christmas market, but that just goes to show that we really want to bring something festive to the city.”
He added:
“Clearly everything will be socially distanced and we have an online system where people can book a time slot.
“That way we can manage the numbers and ensure we adhere to the guidelines.
“We will also have strict track and trace procedures in place.
“It’s really important for us to put on an event where people can have a good time but also feel 100 per cent safe in these unprecedented times.
“Entry to the market is free although people can make a donation which will be given to Mikey’s Line.
“We also have raffle and the money from that will be donated to MFR Cash For Kids.
“Nobody has been unaffected by Covid and we felt that to make this event a true success that it was only right that we have a charity element.
“The charities we have picked are well known locally and do such amazing work.”
Ryan became a partner in the food and drink side of the business in June whilst the hotel was in full lockdown.
Ryan added:
“I actually had a deli business and I had approached Roslynn Fraser who owns the hotel to see if I could use the kitchen whilst it couldn’t operate.
“Very soon, we decided to go into partnership.
“Hospitality has taken a huge hit, and businesses have had to be creative.
“Like many other establishments we started a take-away service and that is still popular today.
“We have also been lucky that since we have been able to reopen, we have been busy, so this is our way of giving something fun back to the community that has supported us.”
The Christmas market and grotto will take place on Saturday and Sunday between 11am-4pm.
Guests will be able to meet Santa and Mrs Claus and browse the stalls which will feature numerous businesses.
To find out more about the Beaufort Christmas Market and Grotto click here.
