A bid has been launched to save a north-east port’s Fishermen’s Mission.
Peterhead’s Mission had been set to close in favour of a “mobile” approach by the charity after it put its centre at the harbour up for sale.
However, a number of locals have joined forces to form a group, committed to saving its public meeting rooms and canteen.
Spearheaded by local man Stephen Bruce, their original intention was to raise enough money to make an offer for the building, based on Union Street, and subsequently hand it back to the charity.
But last night, Commodore David Dickens, chief executive of the Fishermen’s Mission, revealed he had “good news” for the town.
While the Peterhead group has not been able to raise enough funds in time to make a bid for the property, an unnamed developer – believed to be from England – has mustered the requisite funds.
Mr Dickens said: “There is a bid in, and the individual concerned is very keen the Fishermen’s Mission should maintain a footprint in the existing building.
“To my mind, and to my trustee’s mind, it is a win-win situation.”
The mission will now aim to modernise its facilities within the property. And it’s thought the developer will reach out to interested parties to take on the canteen and meeting rooms as a community asset.
Mr Dickens added: “It has been a long haul, but I’m really pleased with where we are today.”
Mr Bruce said sit-down talks between his group and the developer were planned, but nothing had yet been agreed.
He added: “We are going to hold a meeting with him, but we don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
The centre is being sold by FG Burnett, which has not yet put a price on the building.
The Save the Fishermen’s Mission group estimated it would need about £160,000 to buy the property.
