A popular Perth publican is back behind the bar after taking over the reins at the newly reopened Malt House in the city’s Princes Street and overseeing a major refurbishment of the premises.
Raymond Innes (56), who formerly managed the Moncrieffe Arms, is now in charge at the Malt House, bringing with him 40 years of experience in the licensed trade as well as many of the Moncrieffe’s former regulars following its closure back in October last year.
Also working with Mr Innes at the Malt House is Duncan Donaldson, the Moncrieffe’s former chef, who along with Mr Innes and a couple of the old regulars pitched in to repair and refurbish the Malt House’s interiors prior to its reopening last Friday.
Mr Innes is perhaps better known to some Perth pubgoers as ‘Big Ray’ – a moniker he says he is now seriously considering using as the new name for the Malt House once it is firmly re-established as a drinking destination.
“A lot of people know me as ‘Big Ray’ from the Moncrieffe,” he explained.
“Some of the regulars have suggested I call this place ‘Big Ray’s’, so we’ll wait and see!”
Mr Innes said business has been brisk since the pub reopened making his recent efforts to repair the ceiling and replace the flooring as well as brighten the place up all the more worthwhile.
“It took me about three weeks to fix the place up,” he said. “The ceiling was hanging down, it had flooded – it was just a disgrace.
“One of the regulars was here until one o’clock in the morning finishing the new floors because I was opening at the end of the week!
“But all of the regulars from the Moncrieffe have followed me here – it’s all over Facebook. People have been in taking photographs of the place, putting them on Facebook and just spreading the word.
“I would say between 40 and 50 people have followed me here and there’s been other folk who hadn’t been in the pub for a long time who have come in to wish me luck. Friday was really busy so it’s been really good.”
Mr Innes also revealed he hopes to open a new a la carte restaurant in the Malt House’s former Miranda Lounge in the near future and will be seeking permission from Perth and Kinross Council’s licensing board soon.