The chef is looking to raise £50,000 to help fund renovations at the restaurant’s new location in St Andrews on Golf Place.
Banks, a MasterChef The Professionals 2018 finalist, says he was forced to close Haar, located in Kinnettles Hotel in St Andrews “due to failing to agree new heads of terms with our landlord”.
“The last thing we wanted to do is move Haar Restaurant to new premises,” he says. “Especially after the past year we have all had. Hospitality has been hit so hard and we can’t wait for this all to be a distant memory.
“St Andrews is at the very heart of Haar – our name comes from the haar rolling in over the shore there – so we are doing all we can to ensure we remain in our spiritual and physical home forever."
Options on the crowdfund include a six-course menu tasting for two and a lunch tasting menu for two at the new restaurant and a seven-course tasting menu for four at Dean Banks at the Pompadour in Edinburgh, the restaurant which he opened in June.
Haar will continue to support local suppliers in its new location, according to Banks. “We work closely with our local suppliers there including the fishermen who we have helped throughout lockdown with our 'At Home' service. We would love to continue to support these fantastic suppliers - from the St Andrews fishermen to our Fife based organic veg suppliers”.
The new restaurant will create 12 new permanent jobs.
“Every penny raised from our crowdfund will be spent on the renovation of our new site which we intend will be our permanent home,” says Banks.
“This is a big push to help Haar settle in its forever home in St Andrews.”
