Perthshire bistro taken over by 19-year-old

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

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

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.