Perthshire bistro taken over by 19-year-old

Stuart Michael, 19, with Lindsay Wilkinson of RBS, which provided a £36,000 start-up business loan for the purchase of restaurant, The Lounge

A POPULAR Perthshire bistro is to gain a new lease of life ­after its takeover by a teenage entrepreneur.

Stuart Michael, 19, said he had big plans for The Lounge in Crieff, after going into business with his mother and step-father, Avril and ­Peter, who run an optical practice in the town. The purchase of the restaurant has been backed by a start-up loan from Royal Bank of Scotland.

Michael said: “It has always been my passion to own a business.

“I see the family purchase of The Lounge as an opportunity for me to benefit from the immediate income from a well-established and profitable business whereas a university course would leave me in considerable debt with no guaranteed prospect of employment.

“There is also significant ­potential for growth.”

Michael said his plans for The Lounge include moving the menu towards “fresh British dishes with a Scottish twist”. He also has an eye on a possible spin-off eatery.