Chick-fil-A closes Scottish outlet

Chick-fil-A closes Scottish outlet

American fast-food chain Chick-fil-A, which has come under fire for making donations to groups, has shut its only outlet in Scotland.

The company opened the restaurant in Aviemore last year and came under attack by the Highland LGBT Forum, with a 1,200-signature petition against the plan.

Chick-fil-A said the closure was in line with its plans.

The compapny has been opposed by LGBT campaigners both in the UK and the US who say the Chick-fil-A  Foundation has made donations to organisations that are reputedly against LGBT rights.

The chain was boycotted in 2012 after its chairman opposed gay marriage.

Last November the company announced it would be changing its charitable stance in 2020, suggesting that it would not continue to donate to the organisations that had caused the backlash.

Chick-fil-A, which has some 2,400 outlets across North America, had previously told the BBC: “Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda.

The Highland LGBT Forum is a charity based in Inverness with a committee of local volunteers. They aim to promote and organise local events where everyone is welcome and they campaign for the fair treatment of all LGBT+ people and we liaise with many other organisations, both locally and nationally.