Plans have been unveiled to keep a north-east town’s Fishermen’s Mission local.
The charity’s base had been sold off earlier this year, leading to fears that visiting fishermen would have nowhere to turn to for a place to rest.
It resulted in campaigners attempting to purchase the building themselves to ensure that it continued to operate, but it was snapped up before they managed to raise the cash.
But a planning application submitted this week now has local people upbeat about the property’s future.
New owner Andrew Smith is asking for permission from Aberdeenshire Council to convert a disused garage on its ground floor to an office, which the Fishermen’s Mission will run out from.
He also wants to create three more bunks within the building for visitors.
In a supporting statement submitted alongside the application, Mr Smith’s agents, Peterhead firm KL Reid Associates, said the business model is similar to one adopted in Mallaig, where the Fishermen’s Mission has retained its presence but off-loaded its property.
It adds: “The remainder of the building will be available for lease by local people who will have the opportunity of starting their own business by taking over some of the existing services currently being provided by the Fishermen’s Mission.”
Last night, former campaigner Stephen Bruce, who founded the Save the Fishermen’s Mission group, said talks with the new owner had been “positive”.
“We’re happy enough with it,” he added.
He and fellow volunteers had hoped to hand the property back to the Mission if they had purchased it.
He added: “It seems to be they’re going to keep the building the way it is but they’ll be franchising out the canteen and the accommodation.
“But time will tell for it. Right now, we’re reasonably happy with things.”
Mission Commodore David Dickens had always maintained the charity would remain within the town despite the sale of the building.
“To my mind, and to my trustee’s mind, it is a win-win situation,” he said of the sale.
