A CENTRAL Helensburgh venue aiming to open a deli next year has said their choice of staff was "atrocious".
Peckham's of Helensburgh opened after considerable delays in January 2023 but admitted they were now only open at weekends and mainly in the bar.
Owner Tony Johnston told the Advertiser that a deli, originally promised for the site, would now take up a third of the restaurant space and open mid to late February.
He said everything had gone badly wrong.
"Everything has gone wrong," he said, listing off since they first lodged plans, structural faults, Covid, and not getting a licence through on time.
And "our choice of staff, which was atrocious - text book of what not to do".
He said: "We want to make sure we get it right. The deli is built, we just need to get the right staff in. They will be joining us in the new year.
READ MORE: Peckham's plan for Helensburgh delicatessen approved
"A big emphasis will be on freshly baked goods from early morning.
"Everyone in Helensburgh thought they were getting a deli. We took people by surprise when we opened a restaurant."
Plans to open Peckham's in the former council building on the corner of Sinclair Street and East Princess Street were first lodged in 2016.
The deli and shop were originally to have been in a neighbouring building. They are instead being moved into the restaurant space, which will be licenced for up to 247 people.
In November, the venue posted on Facebook saying they were looking for new part-time front of house staff.
Mr Johnston said they were currently only doing private functions at the moment and had "fairly strong bookings" for next year.
They have held events with bands recently and they have two bands booked for February and March, said Mr Johnston. Their comedy club will also return.
He added that they had all council approvals for alterations to the licence and everything else has been done. The Argyll and Bute licensing board approved the changes in May.
"All these things are easier said than done," he said. "We are being ambitious."
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